2016-17 Running NBA Thread

Larry is 60 today.

 

Not a good night last night from a league parity standpoint. It's time to acknowledge that only two teams truly matter in the NBA. Curry went 0-8 from 3-point range and Durant went 5-17, but Thompson and Green played well, and that was enough. Statistically, when you have a big 4, you can assume that at least two of them will play well most nights. It's basically a comprehensive insurance policy.

I'm even concerned that the Finals might suck. Unless Love plays very well, even the Cavs might not have the horses to compete. No other team has more than a big 2.5 competing against the Warriors' big 4.

 

Don't we all?

 

One of the only two teams that matter is down 27 in Memphis.

 

Does it matter?

 

Fair question.

 

The Cavs no-show tonight in Memphis is the most outrageous action by a professional sports franchise in a long, long time.

Joke's on fans as Cavs rest LeBron, stars, in Memphis

The Association has to put an end to back-to-backs, at the very least.

 

Since the Spurs did it multiple times a season for the past five years or so...?

 

Yeah, not seeing why this one is different.

 

Is there a New York City columnist capable of doing anything other than false anger over bullshit? I mean, this graf:

"Yep, these professional athletes that are paid to work 82 games a season are now being given nights off here and there by coaches and managers. No doubt, you wish you only had to work 82 days a year."

That's just spectacularly fucking stupid. Yes, Evan Grossman, just think of how good LeBron might be if only he had a fraction of your work ethic!

 

Magic

Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas played a lot of post season games too. And against significantly tougher competition than LeBron, and by tougher I mean physically tougher AND better competition. They were there every night but for injury. Magic played 190 playoff games through age 31, LeBron played 199. And both averaged around 40 minutes per playoff game.

Iverson took nights off for real injury, not to chill. He might not have practiced, but his work on court work ethic makes LeBron look pedestrian and nonchalant and AI wasn't 1/2 the physical specimen James is.

James is great but nothing he's accomplished hasn't been done been by the other greats of the game. Maybe what he does by taking time off in the season, a game every few weeks, a couple of weeks off in the middle of the season to chill in SoBe, is smart. It might be the right thing for him and the team in the long run, but he's not immune from criticism for disrespecting the fans. He's an entertainer not a first responder, hospital worker or teacher. He sells tickets and apparel not crucial things.


Why not forfeit the game tonight and give everyone a night off