2014-2015 NBA thread

[Brian]

I can't believe how good Butler is either. Just incredible all around. The face he is hitting jumpers consistently after the way he shot it last year is jaw dropping.

[Chisoxfn]

But everyone should complain about Tony Snell and Marquis Teague. Those are more indicative of their drafting ability than Butler, Gibson, Mirotic, Noah and Rose.

Is this sarcasm? I sure hope it is.

[Chisoxfn]

Smith is essentially Waiters, but more efficient, believe it or not. They badly need a strong perimeter defender, and Shumpert fits the bill. A combo of Lebron-Shumpert-Kyrie is more versatile than Lebron-Kyrie and Marion/Mike Miller.

 

I don't get the deal for OKC. They didn't give up much for Waiters, but they have no use for the guy and the trade pretty much puts them over tax apron.

I like it for the Knicks mainly. Any chance you have to get rid of someone like Smith you do it. And like I said, if I'm the Cavs, I'd just dump Smith and keep Shumpert. They have a toxic enough lockeroom right now, don't see how adding Smith is a wise decision. I'm sure I'll regret that statement as Smith hits some game winning three to knock the Bulls out of the playoffs.

[Chisoxfn]

I can't believe how good Butler is either. Just incredible all around. The face he is hitting jumpers consistently after the way he shot it last year is jaw dropping.

I don't get why he isn't getting more media hype and love outside of Chicago. I know people are talking about him as an all star, etc, but he is also a pretty charismatic guy and great in front of the mic, imo. I hope he keeps taking this steps and really is an elite player. Would be awesome. Tremendous dude.

[southsider2k5]

I don't get why he isn't getting more media hype and love outside of Chicago. I know people are talking about him as an all star, etc, but he is also a pretty charismatic guy and great in front of the mic, imo. I hope he keeps taking this steps and really is an elite player. Would be awesome. Tremendous dude.

 

Plus Jimmy has one of the ultimate rags to riches stories in his background as well. The media loves that stuff.

[Chisoxfn]

Plus Jimmy has one of the ultimate rags to riches stories in his background as well. The media loves that stuff.

For example, last night, they focus in on what he did to hold Harden to something like 2 points in the 2nd half. Immediately, he gives credit to his teammates, etc, credits them for the team effort and everything. He literally says the right thing whenever I've heard him interviewed this year. He's the anti-Rose from that perspective.

[bmags]

Butler's usage rate is pretty low (though he is very efficient). May be why, he's not ball dominant, but that's also why he's so great. He's one of the few player always moving.

 

There was a possession toward end of game where Harden iso'd on Jimmy and he could not shake him, and ended up getting stuck under the hoop and out of bounds. It was awesome.

[bmags]

I like it for the Knicks mainly. Any chance you have to get rid of someone like Smith you do it. And like I said, if I'm the Cavs, I'd just dump Smith and keep Shumpert. They have a toxic enough lockeroom right now, don't see how adding Smith is a wise decision. I'm sure I'll regret that statement as Smith hits some game winning three to knock the Bulls out of the playoffs.

 

JR Smith is under contract for next year, so you can see why Knicks bit. They have ... 1 player under contract next year?

[Kyyle23]

JR Smith is under contract for next year, so you can see why Knicks bit. They have ... 1 player under contract next year?

 

The hilarious, needless deal they gave smith that came along with the provision that they signed his brother for no reason and keep him on the roster

[chw42]

I'm fairly convinced that Jimmy was hurt last year, which is why he shot like crap. Jimmy's efficiency numbers are better, but not all that different from his 2012 numbers. The big difference is that he's now doing that over a larger number of minutes.

 

I said two years ago that Jimmy was going to be Kawhi Leonard lite...well, turns out he's actually way better.

[thxfrthmmrs]

For example, last night, they focus in on what he did to hold Harden to something like 2 points in the 2nd half. Immediately, he gives credit to his teammates, etc, credits them for the team effort and everything. He literally says the right thing whenever I've heard him interviewed this year. He's the anti-Rose from that perspective.

 

That's because Rose never got an interview for his great defense.

 

But I think Butler is the antithesis of Rose in many ways on the court as well, you almost couldn't find 2 backcourt players with more different playing styles.

[Harry Chappas]

For example, last night, they focus in on what he did to hold Harden to something like 2 points in the 2nd half. Immediately, he gives credit to his teammates, etc, credits them for the team effort and everything. He literally says the right thing whenever I've heard him interviewed this year. He's the anti-Rose from that perspective.

 

Guy can own this town. He really is well spoken, humble and a hell of a player. Lack of ink does not hurt with the high brow advertisers either.

 

 

[bmags]

Gonna shout out to Gasol, who was probably the reason we won last night. His jumpers kept us in it in the first half, and shut down Dwight where Noah could not.

[RockRaines]

Guy can own this town. He really is well spoken, humble and a hell of a player. Lack of ink does not hurt with the high brow advertisers either.

I dont think Ink has much bearing on advertising money anymore. A pretty large portion of the population has tattoos and its only growing.

[Jenksismyhero]

Gonna shout out to Gasol, who was probably the reason we won last night. His jumpers kept us in it in the first half, and shut down Dwight where Noah could not.

 

He's being ignored a little. At this point he's my MVP for the Bulls, as much as Butler deserves the mention as well. 1 off the league lead in double doubles, putting up career stats in boards and blocks. He's "won" us more games than Jimmy at this point. But both have been amazing.

[bmags]

He's being ignored a little. At this point he's my MVP for the Bulls, as much as Butler deserves the mention as well. 1 off the league lead in double doubles, putting up career stats in boards and blocks. He's "won" us more games than Jimmy at this point. But both have been amazing.

 

I just don't think Bulls fans like post players. People are so quick to jump on Gasol's weaknesses (which are pretty natural for old 7 footers), but just are like "yup" when he has a great game.

 

It was also Gasol's pass to Niko for 3 that iced that game.

 

EDIT: and also, Gasol can take the ball at the perimeter and make something of it, where Boozer would be an auto turnover. I was pretty forgiving of Boozer, but his effectiveness grew to be further and further from the hoop and it really killed the offense.

Edited January 6, 2015 by bmags

[thxfrthmmrs]

He's being ignored a little. At this point he's my MVP for the Bulls, as much as Butler deserves the mention as well. 1 off the league lead in double doubles, putting up career stats in boards and blocks. He's "won" us more games than Jimmy at this point. But both have been amazing.

 

I disagree with you on this. I will admit that Gasol is a more consistent and reliable force on offense (at least perception-wise), and even though he's gotten better defensively as of late, he was horrendous early on in the season.

 

Butler impacts the game on both ends of the floor, plays 40 minutes night in and night out, came up big in late games a few times already this season. While on some nights, Gasol isn't even on the floor for most of the 4th quarter.

[Harry Chappas]

I dont think Ink has much bearing on advertising money anymore. A pretty large portion of the population has tattoos and its only growing.

 

A little niche for him that I personally like but that is just my opinion. I find a picture of grandma on your foreman a tad bizarre but again that is just me.

[Kyyle23]

This team compliments each other. Just like Butler said last night, it is not just one guy, they all work as a team. Gasol started off hot and passed the baton when Houston started coming at him.

 

Butler pretty much stopped Hardens game with that block. I just love how he walked away from him like "whatever. thats what i do"

[chw42]

He's being ignored a little. At this point he's my MVP for the Bulls, as much as Butler deserves the mention as well. 1 off the league lead in double doubles, putting up career stats in boards and blocks. He's "won" us more games than Jimmy at this point. But both have been amazing.

 

Jimmy's been extremely consistent this year, whereas there's been games where Gasol couldn't hit the side of a barn with his jumper. Gasol's good games are really good, but he's also disappeared a handful of times this year when the team needed him. He's also not the best defender. His length is nice to have, but he's very slow.

 

People who are saying this is old Gasol...stop that. Old Gasol was an elite post player who shot 55% from the field. The Gasol we're getting this year isn't that much different than the Gasol on the Lakers the past 3 years, with the exception that he has a way better team, coach, and system around him.

 

I like the signing, but let's not sugar-coat it too much.

 

[Harry Chappas]

I disagree with you on this. I will admit that Gasol is a more consistent and reliable force on offense (at least perception-wise), and even though he's gotten better defensively as of late, he was horrendous early on in the season.

 

Butler impacts the game on both ends of the floor, plays 40 minutes night in and night out, came up big in late games a few times already this season. While on some nights, Gasol isn't even on the floor for most of the 4th quarter.

 

Both compliment one another very well and are in the conversation of MVP race at his time. Hopefully Rose can modify his game to continue to compliment them.

 

The team when healthy is 9 deep without much drop off if Nick can spend some time at the 3.

[bmags]

Jimmy's been extremely consistent this year, whereas there's been games where Gasol couldn't hit the side of a barn with his jumper. Gasol's good games are really good, but he's also disappeared a handful of times this year when the team needed him. He's also not the best defender. His length is nice to have, but he's very slow.

 

People who are saying this is old Gasol...stop that. Old Gasol was an elite post player who shot 55% from the field. The Gasol we're getting this year isn't that much different than the Gasol on the Lakers the past 3 years, with the exception that he has a way better team, coach, and system around him.

 

I like the signing, but let's not sugar-coat it too much.

 

This is idiotic.

[Jenksismyhero]

I disagree with you on this. I will admit that Gasol is a more consistent and reliable force on offense (at least perception-wise), and even though he's gotten better defensively as of late, he was horrendous early on in the season.

 

Butler impacts the game on both ends of the floor, plays 40 minutes night in and night out, came up big in late games a few times already this season. While on some nights, Gasol isn't even on the floor for most of the 4th quarter.

 

It's close enough of a call I can't disagree with you. But I do think Gasol seems under appreciated. He's easily the best center in the East. Even with Butler playing as he is, the Bulls are about 5-6 games worse if Gasol isn't playing as well as he has. His blocks and rebounding have been key to a lot of the runs the Bulls go on. And he's been closing games more and more against good teams. He and Noah are becoming a terror on both the offensive AND defensive end because of their ability to rebound and block shots.

 

[Jenksismyhero]

Jimmy's been extremely consistent this year, whereas there's been games where Gasol couldn't hit the side of a barn with his jumper. Gasol's good games are really good, but he's also disappeared a handful of times this year when the team needed him. He's also not the best defender. His length is nice to have, but he's very slow.

 

People who are saying this is old Gasol...stop that. Old Gasol was an elite post player who shot 55% from the field. The Gasol we're getting this year isn't that much different than the Gasol on the Lakers the past 3 years, with the exception that he has a way better team, coach, and system around him.

 

I like the signing, but let's not sugar-coat it too much.

 

He's had his fair share of duds too (Portland, Atlanta and the Nets last week). Again, I don't disagree, but Pau's offense from the post provides quite a bit of space on the floor for Butler and Noah (edit: and Rose) to do their thing. I think that's forgotten.

Edited January 6, 2015 by Jenksismybitch

[southsider2k5]

Gonna shout out to Gasol, who was probably the reason we won last night. His jumpers kept us in it in the first half, and shut down Dwight where Noah could not.

 

Gasol is an absolute perfect fit for this offense.