[NBA] Unofficial Discussion Thread

[bisdak40]

We have two games for tomorrow, the first is between Boston Celtics and New York Knicks and the second game is between LA Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Let’s post our predictions here and let the fun begin! 😊

I'll go with the home teams:

Celtics -5.5 @1.90
Lakers ML @1.92

[Baofeng]

Yuki Kawamura is signed with a two way contract with the Memphis, so it's good that the Japanese has the opportunity to play in the NBA for at least 50 games and he will be a good back up just in case something happen to Ja Morant again.

So those who are sign in this kind of contract is,

a. Quincy Olivari - who had a good pre-season game with the Lakers
b. Marc McClung - back to back Slam Dunk champion.

But Landry Shamet and former No. 7 pick Killian Hayes has been waived because of injuries. Lonnie Walker as well as also being waived, not from injuries, but perhaps the Celtics thinks that he is not a fit for them for now.

Kawamura getting a 2-way contract is a good sign for other Asian players because we don't see that much Asian players in the NBA right now. The famous one right now is Hachimura. As for Kawamura, this makes my prediction correct in the past that he will be playing most of the time in the Memphis Hustle and help their affiliate team. Congratulations to him still. As for McClung, I'm still curious on how he will fit into the NBA because he's like Kenneth Lofton Jr. where he's dominating in the G-league but ends up mediocre when playing in the NBA.

Yes, we love to see another Asian player in the NBA, hopefully someday we might see Kai Sotto donning a NBA jersey. And if I'm not mistaken, him and Kawamura is team mates.

Shamet is an average role player, and I don't think that there will be somebody that will get him TBH. As for Killian Hayes, I really hoped that the Nets will help him recover his NBA career, but injuries again ruined it. As for Lonnie Walker IV, he's been a good piece back when he's still with the Lakers so I think that there will be some team out there that will try and get him.

As for Shamet, I think he is a good role player. Killian Hayes though, we love to see this guy as he has a bright future. Although he is injured right now, but probably can still go back as he is still very young.

That's the best Walker that we have seen, when he was still with the Lakers. But after he was let go, he was just bouncing around.

[Baofeng]

And now we are on the regular season already.

Lakers won big against the Wolves, AD is the center on both sides, defense and scoring. And then Lebron and his son, making history playing together in the regular season.

While the Celtics tied with the most number of 3 point shot made in a game. They didn't break the record as their next 13 shots didn't make it. That was funny indeed as they are shooting high percentage and when they hit the record, it's all downward spiral after that. Lol.

[Zed0X]

^ Aside from the 3-point barrage, it's also good to point out how good they created those opportunities. It must have been a headache for the Knicks coach to counter the Celtics offense. Screens forcing KAT to move up high looks simple but it's an effective way to open up the court.

[bisdak40]

And now we are on the regular season already.

Lakers won big against the Wolves, AD is the center on both sides, defense and scoring. And then Lebron and his son, making history playing together in the regular season.

While the Celtics tied with the most number of 3 point shot made in a game. They didn't break the record as their next 13 shots didn't make it. That was funny indeed as they are shooting high percentage and when they hit the record, it's all downward spiral after that. Lol.

Fortunately, I bet on both the Celtics and the Lakers for the tip-off, so it’s a great start for me! Hehe.

Today, my bet is on the Bucks at -3.5 against the undermanned Sixers. I hope Giannis and the Bucks blow them out!

[Baofeng]

And now we are on the regular season already.

Lakers won big against the Wolves, AD is the center on both sides, defense and scoring. And then Lebron and his son, making history playing together in the regular season.

While the Celtics tied with the most number of 3 point shot made in a game. They didn't break the record as their next 13 shots didn't make it. That was funny indeed as they are shooting high percentage and when they hit the record, it's all downward spiral after that. Lol.

Fortunately, I bet on both the Celtics and the Lakers for the tip-off, so it’s a great start for me! Hehe.

Today, my bet is on the Bucks at -3.5 against the undermanned Sixers. I hope Giannis and the Bucks blow them out!

Good bet mate, the Bucks beat the Sixers with a double digit win, 124-109.

The Suns vs Clippers though is a exciting game, as it went into OT as I thought that the Suns will have a easy win. And then the Clippers took a good lead in the 4th, Booker tries to rally but unfortunately, he fouled out.

But Durant was there and then Harden making a lot of turnovers and then missing a crucial FT and so Suns escape with a big win here.

[LogitechMouse]

And now we are on the regular season already.

Lakers won big against the Wolves, AD is the center on both sides, defense and scoring. And then Lebron and his son, making history playing together in the regular season.

While the Celtics tied with the most number of 3 point shot made in a game. They didn't break the record as their next 13 shots didn't make it. That was funny indeed as they are shooting high percentage and when they hit the record, it's all downward spiral after that. Lol.

I would suggest to watch this video that I watched from YouTube. He detailed how the Lakers got the victory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofGifjC-cj0
I would say that the Lakers now are in a better position that where there were last season. Yes, it's only one game, but during that game, you will see their players making screens, thing that the Lakers last season doesn't have. Reaves and Russell are now better defenders compared to last season, and the flow of their offense is way better than last season. It's just one game, but we already saw a glimpse of how the Lakers will be all throughout the season. It's just one game, but I would give the credits to Coach JJ on how he created these plays.

As for the Knicks - Celtics, how can you defeat a team that's shooting 60% from three-point area? I mean the Celtics are 29/48 from three-point area after missing their final 13 shots to make a new record. Nevertheless, the team went to their "live by three, die by three" strategy which works for them most of the time. This is the reason why the Celtics have a high chance of making back-to-back titles. I know it's too early, but their starting 5 is for me one of the best currently if not the best. Aside from that, their bench players for me is the best because they can contribute to the team in any way possible whether it would be offense, or defense. The Eastern teams will be having a hard time defeating the Celtics in the playoffs that's for sure.

[Baofeng]

As I have said before, the Warriors is really moving differently with this set of players that they have. Reminds me of the last time they become a champion. They've won with another huge lead against the Jazz as Utah looks disorganized at the start of this season.

Buddy Hield lead the Warriors with 27 points and again, display his showing touch in the 3 point zone. Curry struggle in the first half, but finished with 20 points. Let's see how far this version of the Warriors can go this season. Again, they could be one of the dark horse in the West for this season as nobody expects them to play good as they've lost half of the Splash Brothers to Luka and the Mavs.

[Jating]

^^ They did lost to the Clippers in a close game and Curry got injured. But today, they have a game against the Pels and Zion, and it looks like they are going to lost the game as the Pels build up a good lead. However, they were able to make a huge comeback and Buddy Hield is instrumental with this big win.

They are going against Pels again in back to back games, so let's see if they can continue to have another winning streak. They obviously have move on without Klay and Buddy Hield showing that he could be a great player with the Warriors, not a replacement but having his own game and contribution to them.

[Zed0X]

I have not followed NBA since opening, any new player that impressed you so far? Looking at the table also, it seems order has been restored in the West with the known teams occupying the top 6 (except for Nuggets). On the East, what's happening with the Bucks?

[Baofeng]

^^ They did lost to the Clippers in a close game and Curry got injured. But today, they have a game against the Pels and Zion, and it looks like they are going to lost the game as the Pels build up a good lead. However, they were able to make a huge comeback and Buddy Hield is instrumental with this big win.

They are going against Pels again in back to back games, so let's see if they can continue to have another winning streak. They obviously have move on without Klay and Buddy Hield showing that he could be a great player with the Warriors, not a replacement but having his own game and contribution to them.

They are 3-1 this early, it's a good start for them, and even without Steph, they were able to win this game and made a comeback and so with that I still believed that they will be a very dangerous team this season.

Great game as well between the Mavs and the Wolves, Edwards almost broke the record of Wilt scoring in the first quarter. But it was not enough as the Mavs won the game behind Kyrie and Luka again.

[bisdak40]

I have not followed NBA since opening, any new player that impressed you so far? Looking at the table also, it seems order has been restored in the West with the known teams occupying the top 6 (except for Nuggets). On the East, what's happening with the Bucks?

Luka and Kyrie Irving have been performing well so far. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are struggling to secure wins. Although they have two victories, neither came easily. I think they need reliable second-string players like Caldwell-Pope.

[LogitechMouse]

---
Meanwhile, the Nuggets are struggling to secure wins. Although they have two victories, neither came easily. I think they need reliable second-string players like Caldwell-Pope.

This is the effect of wrong decisions of their GM Calvin Booth.

He prioritizes developing young players than winning titles, and this isn't what Coach Malone likes with the team. Zeke Nnaji has a 4-year $32M contract with the team, but in their first 3 games, he didn't even play a single minute. One of the biggest contract busts for me. Instead of giving it to him, they could just sign another better role players out there, but they didn't.

I will stick with my prediction that the Nuggets will be at the 5th-8th position after the regular season, and I will not be surprised if they will end up as a play-in team knowing stack the West is right now. Their bench is one of the worst right now.

[Baofeng]

I have not followed NBA since opening, any new player that impressed you so far? Looking at the table also, it seems order has been restored in the West with the known teams occupying the top 6 (except for Nuggets). On the East, what's happening with the Bucks?

Luka and Kyrie Irving have been performing well so far. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are struggling to secure wins. Although they have two victories, neither came easily. I think they need reliable second-string players like Caldwell-Pope.

Luka, Kyrie and add Klay Thompson as well, as he also had a great starting season with his new team.

And for the Warriors, as I have said, they are my darkhorse team and so they have a back to back win against Zion and the Pels. It's just very unfortunate that Curry and Wiggins is not yet playing for them.

But the good news is that they are winning so Curry can take his rest for a while and he could recovered in the next couple of days.

[Jating]

I have not followed NBA since opening, any new player that impressed you so far? Looking at the table also, it seems order has been restored in the West with the known teams occupying the top 6 (except for Nuggets). On the East, what's happening with the Bucks?

Luka and Kyrie Irving have been performing well so far. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are struggling to secure wins. Although they have two victories, neither came easily. I think they need reliable second-string players like Caldwell-Pope.

2 seasons ago, it was Bruce Brown right? then last year it was KCP that they have lost and didn't give him a good contract. But then signing new players with ridiculous contract. Yes, it was the job of the management to really look for their players, but I guess the GM has something in his mind.

And if the coach and GM are not seeing eye to eye, it could really affect the players themselves. And right now, it seems to be what the Nuggets are, they are struggling this season and we highly doubt if they are in the top 5 again with this kind of performance.