Re: Around The Horn 2021-2022 Season

by **Ktron** Wed Dec 15, 2021 2:01 pm

cowens/oldschool wrote:Can you imagine if Bird was in this era and coached and told to put up 9-10 3’s a game? Adding all that to what Bird could already do would have been mind boggling statistically!!! How many more 40 and 50 point games would he put up? Sh!t I miss the clever out of this world post moves with either hand.

Likewise, i miss post play in the NBA. That’s part of the game that I love. Taint nothing wrong with a little physicality.

by **gyso** Thu Dec 16, 2021 6:49 am

Pelicans respond to Thunder's preposterous game-tying shot with preposterous game-winning shot

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/pelicans-thunder-shai-gilgeous-alexander-devonte-graham-nba-040650452.html

The two worst teams in the Western Conference delivered one of the wildest finishes you will ever see.

Down 110-107 with 4.5 seconds left, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received the ball and hit an awkward, nearly halfcourt 3-pointer to tie the game. The Oklahoma City crowd exploded, celebrating the kind of moment few and far between for the 8-19 Thunder this year.

The game was headed to overtime. All that was left for the Pelicans, who were out of timeouts, was to inbound the ball with 1.4 seconds left. Guard Devonte' Graham was tasked with the final possession, then threw up a prayer.

Unfortunately for the Thunder, the bank still counted.

Per ESPN Stats & Info, Graham's shot was the longest buzzer-beater in 25 years at 61 feet. It was also the first time in the last 25 seasons a game had seen multiple game-tying or go-ahead shots from at least 30 feet in the final five seconds.

Once raucously celebrating, the OKC crowd threw up more than a few surrender cobras as it watched Graham's shot reach the net.

What preceded those five seconds of basketball surrealism was a 34-point performance from Brandon Ingram plus 19 points and 16 rebounds from Jonas Valuncianas to power the Pelicans. Gilgeous-Alexander also had another big game with 33 points and five rebounds.

Graham had 15 points on 5-of-14 shooting plus eight assists, but the last shot is all anyone's going to remember.

My comment: Use the link to see both shots. Incredible. OKC did line up as if to play defense, I'll give them credit for that. They couldn't foul, so I'll leave it at . . . incredible.

by **gyso** Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:00 am

Isaiah Thomas signs deal with Nuggets' G League team, eyeing return to NBA

https://sports.yahoo.com/isaiah-thomas-signs-deal-with-denver-nuggets-g-league-grand-rapids-gold-eyeing-return-to-nba-235037259.html

Isaiah Thomas is ready to make his return to the NBA.

Thomas signed a deal with the Denver Nuggets’ G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold, on Monday, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Around The Horn 2021-2022 Season - Page 5 Tweet10

Thomas is set to compete in the G League Showcase in Las Vegas starting on Sunday. The event is a single-elimination tournament designed to give G League players a chance to play in front of NBA scouts at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

Longtime NBA guard Jason Terry is in his first season leading the Gold.

Thomas last played for the New Orleans Pelicans last season on a 10-day contract, but the team opted not to sign him to a second deal. The two-time All-Star has spent time with the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Nuggets and Washington Wizards throughout his 10-year career in the league. The 32-year-old was traded from the Wizards to the Clippers in 2020, but was immediately waived.

Thomas averaged 18.1 points and 4.9 assists per game throughout his career. He hasn’t played in more than 40 games in a season since he averaged a career-high 28.9 points per game with the Celtics during the 2016-17 campaign.

While it’s unclear how much of an impact Thomas can have with a team, this stint in the G League will certainly give him the chance to prove to the Nuggets that he’s still capable of providing quality minutes. Whether this stint results in him getting called up to Denver, or anywhere else in the league, remains to be seen.

Around The Horn 2021-2022 Season - Page 5 Temp_p10

My comment: I hope it works out for him.

by **Ktron** Thu Dec 16, 2021 3:43 pm

I’ll be cheering for him from afar. He deserves this chance.

by **bobheckler** Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:11 pm

IT is reportedly signing a 10-day contract with the Lakers.

Bob

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by **dboss** Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:59 pm

bobheckler wrote:IT is reportedly signing a 10-day contract with the Lakers.

Bob

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Gee that will give them 3 former Celtics guards.

I wish the little guy big things.

by **Ktron** Thu Dec 16, 2021 9:06 pm

Happy for IT but not for the Lakers and LeBron. I hope they don’t think that signing ex Celtics is going to make me hate them less.
Lebron wants everybody. He’s the only top 5 player in history that goes around picking who he wants to play with. Fraud

by **willjr** Fri Dec 17, 2021 11:17 am

Ktron wrote:Happy for IT but not for the Lakers and LeBron. I hope they don’t think that signing ex Celtics is going to make me hate them less.
Lebron wants everybody. He’s the only top 5 player in history that goes around picking who he wants to play with. Fraud

Could not agree more!
I don’t know what a psychiatrist/psychologist would say about me, but a Lakers or Cowboys loss gives me more pleasure than a Celtics or Eagles win.

by **Ktron** Fri Dec 17, 2021 2:47 pm

willjr wrote:
Ktron wrote:Happy for IT but not for the Lakers and LeBron. I hope they don’t think that signing ex Celtics is going to make me hate them less.
Lebron wants everybody. He’s the only top 5 player in history that goes around picking who he wants to play with. Fraud
Could not agree more!
I don’t know what a psychiatrist/psychologist would say about me, but a Lakers or Cowboys loss gives me more pleasure than a Celtics or Eagles win.

I hate the Cowboys too and I live in Dallas. I pray they lose every Sunday.

by **willjr** Fri Dec 17, 2021 5:50 pm

According to Woj, Brooklyn will be bringing the one who shall not be named back for road games. As of today they have 27 away games remaining but 2 are at the Knicks and 1 is in Toronto. He will not be able to play in those.

by **Ktron** Fri Dec 17, 2021 7:11 pm

So now everybody In the league gets to put themselves at risk to get sick and die because this punk doesn’t want to get vax and the league doesn’t want to lose anymore money.
This is a sad joke. Players not playing is great for the game ain’t it?
Sickening.

by **bobc33** Fri Dec 17, 2021 11:25 pm

Max Strus scores 32 tonight including 8 of 11 from three.

“Why can’t we get players like that?”

by **cowens/oldschool** Sat Dec 18, 2021 12:10 am

How are the Memphis Grizzlies 18-11?

Can’t believe Desmond Bane is so much better than Romeo and Nesmith right now, and we passed up on him…???

Danny’s last year here he fo..ked up and he knows it, signing T Thompson, passing up on Bane….

by **cowens/oldschool** Sat Dec 18, 2021 12:59 am

Poor Anthony Davis, he just can’t catch a break, on a play that had karma written all over it; James shoved some player right into Davis’s knee. Great Lebron, you got away with the foul, no call, and put hurt, a lot of it on your key franchise teammate…..

by **gyso** Sat Dec 18, 2021 8:38 am

cowens/oldschool wrote:Poor Anthony Davis, he just can’t catch a break, on a play that had karma written all over it; James shoved some player right into Davis’s knee. Great Lebron, you got away with the foul, no call, and put hurt, a lot of it on your key franchise teammate…..

You can see the video of it here:

https://sports.yahoo.com/los-angeles-lakers-anthony-davis-leaves-loss-minnesota-timberwolves-early-knee-injury-collapses-in-tunnel-060509080.html

by **cowens/oldschool** Sat Dec 18, 2021 9:29 am

gyso wrote:
cowens/oldschool wrote:Poor Anthony Davis, he just can’t catch a break, on a play that had karma written all over it; James shoved some player right into Davis’s knee. Great Lebron, you got away with the foul, no call, and put hurt, a lot of it on your key franchise teammate…..

You can see the video of it here:

https://sports.yahoo.com/los-angeles-lakers-anthony-davis-leaves-loss-minnesota-timberwolves-early-knee-injury-collapses-in-tunnel-060509080.html

Thanks gyso, I got it wrong they actually did call a foul on Lebron for the shove

by **bobheckler** Sun Dec 19, 2021 2:19 pm

Anthony Davis is expected to be out 4 weeks with a left knee MCL sprain before he is reevaluated. That's 14 games, minimum.

The Lakers are currently 16-14, 6th place in the WC (a 16-14 record in the EC would be good for 8th).

Here's their upcoming 14-game schedule:

Sun, Dec 19 @ Chicago (17-10)
Tue, Dec 21 vs Phoenix (23-5)
Thu, Dec 23 vs San Antonio (11-17)
Sat, Dec 25 vs Brooklyn (21-9)
Tue, Dec 28 @ Houston (10-20)
Wed, Dec 29 @ Memphis (19-11)
Fri, Dec 31 vs Portland (12-18)
Sun, Jan 2 vs Minnesota (14-15)
Tue, Jan 4 vs Sacramento (12-18)
Fri, Jan 7 vs Atlanta (14-15)
Sun, Jan 9 vs Memphis (19-11)
Wed, Jan 12 @ Sacramento (12-18)
Sat, Jan 15 @ Denver (15-14)

Only 5 away games. They got lucky!
Only 6 games against teams with .500 records. Lucky again!
Only one b2b. How come we can't get breaks like this?

Still, Denver won't be a pushover. Minny and Atlanta could give them a run for their money too, especially without AD. If they lose their 6 vs winning teams and split the Minny/Atlanta games that's .500 and that'd be pretty good for them.

Bob

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by **bobheckler** Sun Dec 19, 2021 2:24 pm

cowens/oldschool wrote:How are the Memphis Grizzlies 18-11?

Can’t believe Desmond Bane is so much better than Romeo and Nesmith right now, and we passed up on him…???

Danny’s last year here he fo..ked up and he knows it, signing T Thompson, passing up on Bane….

Cow,

You are the Sultan of Second Guessing. Maybe Brad should do what Sam Presti in OKC did and trade away his whole team just so he could own every freaking pick in the 1st round. Then you wouldn't suffer so much from FOMO. LOL.

Bob

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by **dboss** Sun Dec 19, 2021 2:27 pm

Cavs-Hawks PPd; nets next 2 games PPd; Sixers-Pels no go

It seems everybody is sick and tired of all the Covid protocols. Went to store the other day and each time I go I see less people masked up. Folks want to hang out again, spend time with family and friends. Those NBA guys are no different however they are significantly more likely to be super spreaders.

by **Ktron** Sun Dec 19, 2021 3:01 pm

dboss wrote:Cavs-Hawks PPd; nets next 2 games PPd; Sixers-Pels no go

It seems everybody is sick and tired of all the Covid protocols. Went to store the other day and each time I go I see less people masked up. Folks want to hang out again, spend time with family and friends. Those NBA guys are no different however they are significantly more likely to be super spreaders.

I see that Kyrie has now entered protocol!? If this pandemic wasn’t so sad i’d be laughing my ass off at this one.

by **cowens/oldschool** Sun Dec 19, 2021 3:13 pm

bobheckler wrote:
cowens/oldschool wrote:How are the Memphis Grizzlies 18-11?

Can’t believe Desmond Bane is so much better than Romeo and Nesmith right now, and we passed up on him…???

Danny’s last year here he fo..ked up and he knows it, signing T Thompson, passing up on Bane….

Cow,

You are the Sultan of Second Guessing. Maybe Brad should do what Sam Presti in OKC did and trade away his whole team just so he could own every freaking pick in the 1st round. Then you wouldn't suffer so much from FOMO. LOL.

Bob

.

Well someone at Memphis is doing something right, they are winning without Morant right now.

by **Ktron** Sun Dec 19, 2021 6:54 pm

Maybe this is one of the reasons Josh R never really got to show what he could do in Dallas?

Great piece on Rick Carlisle and what a great many of his players think about him.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32861454/luka-doncic-rick-carlisle-dissolution-their-relationship-comes-next-dallas-mavericks

by **RosalieTCeltics** Sun Dec 19, 2021 7:09 pm

I really think the league should step in, all players should leave the floor at the end of a game, no mingling. All this lovey/dovey stuff with players hugging each other is ridiculous. Each team last night had tons of players out on protocol, yet they still mingled about after the game chatting away. Call each other on the phone!!

It will be interesting to see what happens with tomorrow’s game with Philly, they postponed today’s game.

And the story of “you know who” coming back playing away games? That owner is making a fool of himself, it wasn’t good before, but now that everyone is getting sick, it’s ok for this jerk to come back???? And I read he went directly into protocol. Of course, he is not vaccinated, needs to pass a series of tests.

I never wish ill will on anyone, but it would serve this good for nothing to come back and get injured for the season

by **dbrown4** Mon Dec 20, 2021 11:38 am

Desperate times for BKN call for desperate measures, Rosalie!! That's pretty dang desperate IMHBAO!!

db

by **bobheckler** Thu Dec 23, 2021 11:52 am

https://nypost.com/2021/12/22/derrick-rose-injury-knicks-vet-out-8-weeks-after-ankle-surgery/

Knicks’ Derrick Rose out at least eight weeks after ankle surgery

By Peter Botte
December 22, 2021 8:02pm Updated

The Knicks’ pending rotation depth once their roster is restocked from their ongoing COVID outbreak will be missing a key piece for at least the next two months.

Veteran guard Derrick Rose underwent surgery Wednesday on the right ankle that has sidelined him for each of the Knicks’ past two games, and he will be reevaluated in eight weeks, the team announced.

With six Knicks also out due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols, previously benched Kemba Walker has started each of those contests, scoring 50 combined points in a loss Saturday in Boston and a win Tuesday night over Detroit. Walker had been replaced by Alec Burks in the starting lineup in late November and was out of the rotation altogether for nine games.

The 33-year-old Rose, a former league MVP who also has played for coach Tom Thibodeau in Chicago and Minnesota, has been an invaluable addition since the Knicks acquired him from the Pistons in January, finishing as a finalist for the NBA’s Sixth Man award last season. The 14-year veteran is averaging 12.0 points, 4.0 assists and 24.5 minutes per game in 26 appearances (four starts) this season after he was re-signed to a three-year deal worth $43.6 million in the offseason.

Rose’s importance as a trusted Thibodeau lieutenant cannot be understated, as the three-time All-Star has formed a potent backcourt tandem with Immanuel Quickley on the second unit, often remaining on the court down the stretch of close games. The Knicks also were 24-11 with Rose in the lineup last season, and he averaged a team-best 19.4 points per game during their first-round playoff elimination by Atlanta.

Even with Rose sidelined, Thibodeau will have multiple decisions to make once some or all of RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and rookies Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride are able to return to the lineup.

Forwards Obi Toppin and Kevin Knox also have been out due to the health and safety protocols, although Toppin has been cleared to rejoin the team. Starting center Nerlens Noel was added to the protocols list ahead of Thursday’s home game against the Wizards.

Burks has shifted back to a wing position alongside inconsistent shooting guard Evan Fournier in the past two games, with the 31-year-old Walker mostly manning the point.

Following Tuesday’s win over Detroit, Thibodeau had left open the possibility of Walker still receiving minutes after the others return, saying “performance matters” and “whoever gives us the best chance to win, you are going to be in there.”

Thibodeau also regularly gushes about Burks’ versatility and willingness to play multiple roles for the good of the team. When the lineup switch was announced on Nov. 27, Thibodeau reasoned that he wanted to add Burks’ size and improved defense to the team’s rotation.

“Obviously, we miss RJ. But that’s what I love about Alec is you can start Alec, you can bring him off the bench and you can play him at four different positions,” Thibodeau said when asked about Burks after Tuesday’s game. “He’s the ultimate pro. He understands what every position is. Whatever you ask him to do, the team is always first. He’s willing to sacrifice for the team and you can’t ask for anything more from a player. It’s special.

“We’re looking forward to getting our guys back. We miss RJ. But this is part of the NBA, when someone is out the next guy has to get in there and get the job done.”

Bob
MY NOTE: It really is shocking how the Knicks are in free fall. They are now in 12th place, 2 games out of the last play-in spot. They were in 4th or 5th to start the season, right? And this news about DRose is a killer because it now puts Thibs squarely on the spot of having to decide about playing Kemba a lot. That's a nightmare position for a defensive-minded coach like Thibs. James Dolan has the attention span and intellect of a Shih Tsu, and nothing is ever his fault.

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