[NBA] Unofficial Discussion Thread

[Zed0X]

Just on the brink of the playoffs, Denver Nuggets have sacked its head coach, Michael Malone, it's a really surprising move to be honest, especially with playoffs around the corner, and Malone is the literally the best coach Nuggets history, I would have expected at least him getting a shot at the playoffs this season, I wonder what the rationale behind this decision could really be.

What I'm reading is not getting home court advantage during the playoffs which I find funny actually But more seriously, it's not good for the team confidence to be losing four games in a row. The top management probably don't want a repeat of last season's SF disappointment and wanted to shake things up.

[Baofeng]

Just on the brink of the playoffs, Denver Nuggets have sacked its head coach, Michael Malone, it's a really surprising move to be honest, especially with playoffs around the corner, and Malone is the literally the best coach Nuggets history, I would have expected at least him getting a shot at the playoffs this season, I wonder what the rationale behind this decision could really be.

I was surprised to see this news just right now, just two years ago he brought the Nuggets their NBA ring and has been guided them in a good record after that. So we really don't know what's the cause of this, maybe except in the last month or so, they are very inconsistent as they dropped to 4th place with a 4 game losing streak.

And to be fair, it's not just Malone that is getting fired, it also includes Calvin Booth, the GM. So it seems that there's a big shake down on the team itself and it could affect the morals inside the dugout.

[Jating]

Just on the brink of the playoffs, Denver Nuggets have sacked its head coach, Michael Malone, it's a really surprising move to be honest, especially with playoffs around the corner, and Malone is the literally the best coach Nuggets history, I would have expected at least him getting a shot at the playoffs this season, I wonder what the rationale behind this decision could really be.

That is so true, he is the best coach on the Nuggets history, we would forget on how he made the Nuggets a championship team two years ago? And I still remember Jamal Murray's after that, because he thought that coach Malone will trade him after he has his injuries. On the contrary, they keep him and then they won that first ring. And I think we have discussed it already in the other community that there is no job security or tenure to any NBA coaches as they can be fired anytime.

[Baofeng]

Here's my pick for tomorrow's game:

OKC vs Suns - no Durant, and so the Suns are in a disarray right now, and they will have a back to back games as they've lost by a big margin against the Warriors tonight. So I will put a bet on the OKC -10.5 @1.83

Rockets vs Clippers, still a must win by the Clippers here but with the Rockets on a winning streak, it will be very close game unless the Rockets will sit their star. So I have them +7.5 @1.83

Lakers vs Dallas, give me the Lakers at -3.5 @1.82.

[dwyane36]

I was surprised to see this news just right now, just two years ago he brought the Nuggets their NBA ring and has been guided them in a good record after that. So we really don't know what's the cause of this, maybe except in the last month or so, they are very inconsistent as they dropped to 4th place with a 4 game losing streak.

It would be very strange if the Nuggets' management decided to fire the head coach just because the team lost a few recent games. That’s probably not the real reason. In any case, I think such decisions are better made during the offseason, not right before the playoffs.

[bisdak40]

And to be fair, it's not just Malone that is getting fired, it also includes Calvin Booth, the GM. So it seems that there's a big shake down on the team itself and it could affect the morals inside the dugout.

I searched on the net for the reason behind firing coach Malone and i see one of those is an internal conflict between Malone and GM Calvin Booth regarding roster construction as Malone wanted to field veteran players while Booth wanted to focus on young talents but sad to see both were leaving the Nuggets franchise.

[Harkorede]

Here's my pick for tomorrow's game:

Lakers vs Dallas, give me the Lakers at -3.5 @1.82.

I also had a bet on the Lakers because I thought they have more to play for and Luka Doncic finally returning to Dallas for the first time, he would try to make a statement and he did! I waited for confirmation that the Lakers roster would be available because it was the 2nd game of a back to back before betting, so the line was -5.5 @ 1.96 which I took.

[Baofeng]

Here's my pick for tomorrow's game:

Lakers vs Dallas, give me the Lakers at -3.5 @1.82.

I also had a bet on the Lakers because I thought they have more to play for and Luka Doncic finally returning to Dallas for the first time, he would try to make a statement and he did! I waited for confirmation that the Lakers roster would be available because it was the 2nd game of a back to back before betting, so the line was -5.5 @ 1.96 which I took.

Good choice, as the Lakers won comfortably and you are right, they have give Luka his credit and then making a statement by scoring 45 points, Lol, bad ass comeback game.

OKC though put me in a nervous mode as the Suns took a double digit lead but then OKC comes back and cover that spread.

2/3 not that bad.

[Harkorede]

OKC though put me in a nervous mode as the Suns took a double digit lead but then OKC comes back and cover that spread.

I really don't get what it really is with this OKC side, they've played quite a handful of games without their best players, most of the games have been a win for them. I understand that they're very good collectively as a unit, but I always expect less when you have your best players seating out, not them. They played a number of games with Jalen Williams, at some point Holmgren missed numerous games, they started the season for a long while without Hartenstein, and SGA have sat out a number of games also, but if you look at their record you'd think they've had it all together for the entire season.

[bisdak40]

Good choice, as the Lakers won comfortably and you are right, they have give Luka his credit and then making a statement by scoring 45 points, Lol, bad ass comeback game.

OKC though put me in a nervous mode as the Suns took a double digit lead but then OKC comes back and cover that spread.

2/3 not that bad.

That game between the Suns and Thunder will put you in a nervous state indeed but nevertheless congrats on your win, 2/3 not bad.

For today, i picked the Grizzlies to win against the Wolves, both teams needed a win very badly but i favor the Grizzlies because they playing at their homecourt.

[Harkorede]

For today, i picked the Grizzlies to win against the Wolves, both teams needed a win very badly but i favor the Grizzlies because they playing at their homecourt.

Things have gone really south for Memphis Grizzlies, for a team that was once the 2nd-3rd team in the west for a long while, they're now vying for a playing spot, so bad. I really don't know they'll eventually get that's if they're able to make it to the playoffs, but my money mostly would be against the Grizzlies in the first round.

[dwyane36]

Things have gone really south for Memphis Grizzlies, for a team that was once the 2nd-3rd team in the west for a long while, they're now vying for a playing spot, so bad. I really don't know they'll eventually get that's if they're able to make it to the playoffs, but my money mostly would be against the Grizzlies in the first round.

I think the Grizzlies will make the playoffs even if they lose to the Wolves in the play-in tournament. But in the first round, they will definitely have a lot of trouble because their opponent will be either the Thunder or the Rockets. So, personally, I don't expect the Grizzlies to get deeper than the first round.

[Harkorede]

Things have gone really south for Memphis Grizzlies, for a team that was once the 2nd-3rd team in the west for a long while, they're now vying for a playing spot, so bad. I really don't know they'll eventually get that's if they're able to make it to the playoffs, but my money mostly would be against the Grizzlies in the first round.

I think the Grizzlies will make the playoffs even if they lose to the Wolves in the play-in tournament. But in the first round, they will definitely have a lot of trouble because their opponent will be either the Thunder or the Rockets. So, personally, I don't expect the Grizzlies to get deeper than the first round.

It is probably too little too late already, but at least they'll get to see that Taylor Jenkins wasn't the problem, when the season began and even all through the mid season while the Grizzlies were shorthanded and often having one or multiple guys missing games, they were still able to get results and they were highly competing in any game whatsoever against any team in the league, but it's not the same again, luckily for them the season is ending already, if not I'd say if the league should go on for another 10-15 games, there is quite the chance they'd miss completely from the playoffs picture.

[Harkorede]

Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after abysmal season that saw the Phoenix Suns finished the season as the third-worse defense in the league, despite having the largest payroll in the league's history. There have been debates over the last two season about how unsustainable the Phoenix Suns moves have been, I guess it's nothing but the truth, after all.

[Baofeng]

Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after abysmal season that saw the Phoenix Suns finished the season as the third-worse defense in the league, despite having the largest payroll in the league's history. There have been debates over the last two season about how unsustainable the Phoenix Suns moves have been, I guess it's nothing but the truth, after all.

And there were even news that Booker might also leave the Suns. We all know that they have build him as their cornerstone, but it seems that nothing has happen and the closest they got was with Chris Paul when they go to the finals against the Bucks.

Nevertheless, maybe it's about time that Booker shop for a new team as the Suns management can't really get their things done in the right way.