NBA: 2014-2015 Season

[a6m5]

I so wish they called foul on that play.

 

[Paulie]

Speaking of Twitter... check out this Tweet I read that someone re-tweeted:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Knicks are behind the Sixers in the standings. Officially." -@talkhoops on Twitter

Not technically accurate, the Knicks are 17.5 GB where Philly is 17.0 GB, but the Knicks still have a better win % by virtue of having played a couple extra games and having won an extra game. Still pretty funny though.

 

[JohnBM01]

Reports indicate that in the Cleveland Cavaliers' rout of the Minnesota Timberwolves last night, Anderson Varejao tore his Achilles and is likely done for the season. I wish Varejao well in his recovery.

No games slated for tonight. So this gives me a chance to offer this standings update. Fix anything I may have screwed up on (I'm likely to do so):


--- EASTERN CONFERENCE ---
ATLANTIC: Toronto (22-7), BKN (12-15), BOS (10-16), NY (5-25), PHI (4-23)
CENTRAL: Chicago (19-9), CLE (17-10), MIL (14-15), IND (10-19), DET (5-23)
SOUTHEAST: Atlanta (21-7), WSH (19-8), MIA (13-16), ORL (11-20), CHA (10-19)

EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS...
...TOP 8: Toronto, ATL, WSH, CHI, CLE, MIL, MIA, BKN
...REST: BOS, ORL, IND, CHA, DET, NY, PHI


--- WESTERN CONFERENCE ---
NORTHWEST: Portland (23-7), OKC (13-16), DEN (12-17), UTA (9-20), MIN (5-22)
PACIFIC: Golden State (23-4), LAC (19-10), PHX (16-14), SAC (12-16), LAL (9-19)
SOUTHWEST: Memphis (21-7), HOU (20-7), DAL (20-10), SA (18-11), NO (14-14)

WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS...
...TOP 8: Golden State, POR, MEM, HOU, DAL, LAC, SA, PHX
...REST: NO, OKC, SAC, DEN, LAL, UTA, MIN


--- OBSERVATIONS ---
RECORDS...
...BEST HOME: Toronto (14-3)
...BEST AWAY: Golden State (13-3)
...WORST HOME: Philadelphia (0-14)
...WORST AWAY: Minnesota (3-11)

CURRENT STREAKS...
...LONGEST WINNING: Atlanta (5 straight wins)
...LONGEST LOSING: Minnesota (6 straight losses)

CURRENT TEN-GAME STRETCH...
...BEST RECORD: Atlanta (9-1 in latest 10-game stretch)
...WORST RECORD: New York and Minnesota (each 1-9 in latest 10-game stretch)


All of this info taken from Yahoo! Sports. There is still plenty of season left. Turn around those losing ways if you are to have any playoff hopes. Keep up the great work if you're ahead and among the upper percentile in conference and in your respective division.

All of you take care and have a great day/night.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Wow, yeah that Josh Smith news caught me off guard. A lot of people think Houston will make a play for him. I really hope Kings don't, could you imagine Gay, Smith and Cousins all in one front court? Probably not as bad as what the Pistons had there but hey.....



Apparently they were allergic to defence. But hey, if you need to score 49pts in the 4th quarter to beat a DeRozan-less Raptors then you do what you gotta do.

Even with DeRozan they can't beat the Bulls.

This year's defense is an anomaly though. Even though we are giving up more points, we are still scoring far more to cover it up. However the Bulls have shown flashes of lock down defense.

 

[a6m5]

While Portland's not as good as their record may indicate(23-7, #2 in the league), like last year, we are winning the games we are supposed to win(easier said than done), so I am proud of them for that. Go Blazers!

 

[Paulie]

So Josh Smith is going to the Rockets. What do you think @JohnBM01? If he could learn to play efficient basketball and only do what he's good at, it makes them a formiddable team.

 

[JohnBM01]

Hawks? I kept hearing he signed with the Rockets. No matter who he plays for, he's talked about more in the capacity of a bench player or someone very low in the depth chart.

As far as what he can bring, lots of people say he'd fit right in with the Rockets even if just to reunite with Dwight Howard and play for a team with a chance to win an NBA Championship. So I think this could work very well. How much so remains to be seen. Maybe a change of scenery can help him get better. I just don't really know at this point.

 

[Paulie]

Hawks? I kept hearing he signed with the Rockets. No matter who he plays for, he's talked about more in the capacity of a bench player or someone very low in the depth chart.

As far as what he can bring, lots of people say he'd fit right in with the Rockets even if just to reunite with Dwight Howard and play for a team with a chance to win an NBA Championship. So I think this could work very well. How much so remains to be seen. Maybe a change of scenery can help him get better. I just don't really know at this point.

Sorry! Sorry! I meant the Rockets . Given his past success with the Hawks though, I can't imagine it being impossible for him to play good basketball in the right system and in the right role.

 

[JohnBM01]

Just goes to showe are all human. We all make errors. Anyhow... Merry Christmas, everyone!

The NBA has hosted NBA games on Christmas since 1947. In case you want a reminder on this lineup of Christmas games, here is a quick rundown...

* WSH at NY
* OKC at SA
* CLE at MIA
* LAL at CHI
* GS at LAC

Enjoy the gift of NBA hoops today. Of course, thank Santa.

 

[Paulie]

Here's a thought.....Raptors trade some expiring contracts (Fields, Hayes) and maybe a draft pick to the Pacers for David West. Power Forward is a trouble spot for the Raptors, but that'd put them in the contender category for sure. Amir Johnson's body isn't what it used to be and his performance has been sub-par as a result, using him as a back-up centre would do a world of good.

 

[JohnBM01]

Down went the Memphis Grizzlies tonight as we won 117-111 in Overtime. Yep. This one needed more than 48 to settle the score. The Rockets' Twitter feed (@HoustonRockets) had a Vine video that shown James Harden making a wicked block to basically seal the game for the Rockets. Any time you can beat Memphis at Memphis, that in itself is an accomplishment. Recently-signed Josh Smith put in 21 points and 8 rebounds in his debut in Rockets red. James Harden had a double-double with 32 points and 10 assists. So it was another happy night for the Rockets as we won again.

Congratulations to Friday's other winners. Better luck next time to all losers.

 

[Aesthetics]

Here's a thought.....Raptors trade some expiring contracts (Fields, Hayes) and maybe a draft pick to the Pacers for David West. Power Forward is a trouble spot for the Raptors, but that'd put them in the contender category for sure. Amir Johnson's body isn't what it used to be and his performance has been sub-par as a result, using him as a back-up centre would do a world of good.

IMO there would be no way the Pacers would take that, since West is one of the lone bright spots for them. They wanted Goran Dragic for Hibbert, who is of comparable value to West. It'd take a pretty good player for Indy to accept, which unfortunately could mean someone like DeRozan. Which Toronto would never agree too.
Sorry, one-sided trade proposals get me going a little bit.

Anyways, my Suns beat a DeMarcus Cousins-less Sacramento Kings, 115-106. I thought Alex Len would be a bust because of his injuries, but he's becoming a pretty good center, something the Suns never really had. 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks isn't that bad for someone who's basically a rookie.

Also, I saw that Kenneth Faried had 26 points and 25 rebounds tonight. Which I find crazy for someone who's 6'8".

 

[a6m5]

Blazers beat....... the Sixers. And in those t-shirt jerseys. I literally dozed off watching.

 

[Paulie]

IMO there would be no way the Pacers would take that, since West is one of the lone bright spots for them. They wanted Goran Dragic for Hibbert, who is of comparable value to West. It'd take a pretty good player for Indy to accept, which unfortunately could mean someone like DeRozan. Which Toronto would never agree too.
Sorry, one-sided trade proposals get me going a little bit.

It would be if Pacers decided on a rebuild, they might get a decent 1st round pick and expiring contracts in the deal which makes it entirely not one-sided for a rebuilding squad.

Edit: Great win for the Raptors against the Clippers today. Still no DeMar which makes it all the more impressive. It's funny how Blake Griffin, when he was the league's new favourite son, got all the fake calls, and now that guy is Anthony Davis, he complains on every play about some phantom foul because he got used to it.

 

[Aesthetics]

After losing 6 straight games, It appears my Suns have finally gotten it together, and have won 6 straight.
They beat the Lakers 116 to 107.

I wish they can combine all 3 point guards into one player, because they all combined for 61 points, 13 rebounds, 14 assists, and 8 steals. I'm a little disappointed with the amount of assists for 3 'playmakers', though.

 

[Paulie]

Raptors have started their toughest road trip of the season 2-1, today the Nuggets experienced Lowry in beast mode and Lou Williams in Lou mode. If they can keep up this form for the road trip, they'll be sitting very pretty when DeRozan comes back. I still say 0.500 would be a raging success though on this road trip.

In Aussie news, Mills came back today!!! Both Mills and Baynes scored 8pts a piece, Baynes fouled out though and Mills did have 5 TO's (he's bound to be rusty first game back, 0-4 3pt as well). However it was Mills who forced a Harden turnover with 30sec left in the game when Houston were down 3, so that was good to see.

 

[a6m5]

I just saw that replay with Mills. I could be mistaken, but it looked like Harden caused that turnover(or his 'flash'). Either way, I'm glad to see Mills back, and Harden go the other direction looking all dejected.

I don't know if you guys noticed, but I like San Antonio a lot.



Boris.

 

[JohnBM01]

I found out my Rockets failed last night at San Antonio 110-106. No rest for the weary as we're on a back-to-back. We will take on the Washington Wizards in Houston tonight.


[UPDATE] Wizards at Rockets. NOT Houston at the Wizards. WWE Monday Night RAW is at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. tonight; so it's impossible for two events to be at one arena. Anyhow... updates made.

 

[sumbrownkid]

So how about Lebron saying the Cavs are not a good team?

 

[JohnBM01]

It's back-to-back losses for the Rockets. I edited the previous post to note that this game took place here in Houston, NOT in Washington, D.C. The Atlanta Hawks won 104-103 against my Rockets here in Houston. We're back on the road for another back-to-back starting on New Year's Eve at the Cleveland Cavaliers (I believe), and then we're at the New York Knicks on New Year's Day. The Rockets surely need to get it together and quick. You can't stub your toes for too long playing in the Western Conference.

Congrats to everyone who didn't fail tonight.


[UPDATE] Charlotte at Houston on Wednesday.

 

[Omnis]

Lebron came back to Miami and realized he threw greatness away for 3rd world Cleveland.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Lebron came back to Miami and realized he threw greatness away for 3rd world Cleveland.

I'm liking the supposed "dysfunction" going on at Cleveland right now. And to be honest, perhaps the rest of the NBA as well.

Toronto is winning games left and right, along with Bulls, Wizards, and the Hawks, and yet alot of the light is on Cleveland. We prefer it stays that way.

Btw with the numbers Butler is putting up...He has to be included in the MVP discussion at least. MIP is by far him.

If it weren't for his three, the Bulls would have been embarrassed.

 

[JohnBM01]

Tonight is the final NBA Fan Night of 2014. And to that end, the fans chose this game:

...Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks!

So as LeBron James celebrates his 30th birthday today (welcome to the Dirty 30s from a fellow thirtysomething! ), the Cavs hope to take down the Atlanta Hawks in the ATL tonight as a birthday present. This is the match fans wanted to see, and they'll get a quite good matchup.

Well, enjoy some NBA hoops tonight.

 

[Paulie]

I'm liking the supposed "dysfunction" going on at Cleveland right now. And to be honest, perhaps the rest of the NBA as well.

Toronto is winning games left and right, along with Bulls, Wizards, and the Hawks, and yet alot of the light is on Cleveland. We prefer it stays that way.

Btw with the numbers Butler is putting up...He has to be included in the MVP discussion at least. MIP is by far him.

If it weren't for his three, the Bulls would have been embarrassed.

Toronto could win the championship and people would still be like "Who Raptors"? "Canada has a team?" Jimmy Butler's breakout must be such a huge bonus for Bulls fans.

 

[a6m5]

Raptors would always be the Canadian Champ to me.....

 

[Spacegoat]

Canadian Champ

Vancouver Grizzles forever...

Also great to see Patty Mills back on the court for the Spurs. 👍

 

[a6m5]

Love your avatar....... Here's the new one featuring the very first franchise player from your favorite Canadian team. No wonder the team was moved to the U.S. j/k

 

[Turbo_snail]

OT in Oregon!

 

[a6m5]

I forgot that there was a game on. Go Blazers!

 

[Cobra_GT500]

Lakers beat the Nuggets .