On January 15 2014 13:00 zulu_nation8 wrote: What's Conley's defense like compared other PGs? I assume he's safely #2 behind CP3? Is he a top tier PG otherwise?
he's solid. slightly undersized but stays with the play and doesn't really gamble. i'm always iffy about him, i personally prefer lawson but conley has been super solid since gasol went out.
On January 15 2014 11:30 RowdierBob wrote: I'd love to see what damage cousins could do on a legitimately good team.
Are there any NBA 5s with a better skillset?
The difficulty with Cousins, which was pointed out by Zach Lowe once I believe, is that he's a big that is most effective when close to the basket on offense, but is unable to protect the rim or paint on defense. This makes it very hard to find a compatible big to pair him with. You'd need a PF who could space the floor on offense and provide paint/rim protection on defense if you want to build a serious contender. Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol are the only players I cant think of that fit that mold, and the likelihood of either ending up on the same team seems unlikely. You're then left with either poor spacing on offense (or Cousins chucking up perimeter shots... yuck) or an inability to guard the paint/rim on defense, both of which are fatal against elite teams. Monta is a perimeter player, who are less important in today's game on defense.
This doesn't even begin to address Cousin's disposition and instability. Bill and Jalen have touched on it, but how many players would really want to play with Cousins and his antics? He's not just crazy like MWP, he lashes out at coaches, teammates, etc. There's always the hope that he's turned over a new leaf or does so in the future, but it's less likely than him simply remaining who he is at this point.
On January 15 2014 11:30 RowdierBob wrote: I'd love to see what damage cousins could do on a legitimately good team.
Are there any NBA 5s with a better skillset?
The difficulty with Cousins, which was pointed out by Zach Lowe once I believe, is that he's a big that is most effective when close to the basket on offense, but is unable to protect the rim or paint on defense. This makes it very hard to find a compatible big to pair him with. You'd need a PF who could space the floor on offense and provide paint/rim protection on defense if you want to build a serious contender. Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol are the only players I cant think of that fit that mold, and the likelihood of either ending up on the same team seems unlikely. You're then left with either poor spacing on offense (or Cousins chucking up perimeter shots... yuck) or an inability to guard the paint/rim on defense, both of which are fatal against elite teams. Monta is a perimeter player, who are less important in today's game on defense.
This doesn't even begin to address Cousin's disposition and instability. Bill and Jalen have touched on it, but how many players would really want to play with Cousins and his antics? He's not just crazy like MWP, he lashes out at coaches, teammates, etc. There's always the hope that he's turned over a new leaf or does so in the future, but it's less likely than him simply remaining who he is at this point.
to Cousins credit, he has grown up a lot this year. he has been rather well behaved and I haven't heard much of his antics this season.
On the topic of Cousins, he said he wouldn't mind participating in the always-boring Skills Challenge during all-star weekend. I usually don't bother with that event, but I'd watch the shit out of it if Cousins participated. He's one of the few legit bigs (no, KD doesn't count) that could do well.
On January 15 2014 11:30 RowdierBob wrote: I'd love to see what damage cousins could do on a legitimately good team.
Are there any NBA 5s with a better skillset?
The difficulty with Cousins, which was pointed out by Zach Lowe once I believe, is that he's a big that is most effective when close to the basket on offense, but is unable to protect the rim or paint on defense. This makes it very hard to find a compatible big to pair him with. You'd need a PF who could space the floor on offense and provide paint/rim protection on defense if you want to build a serious contender. Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol are the only players I cant think of that fit that mold, and the likelihood of either ending up on the same team seems unlikely. You're then left with either poor spacing on offense (or Cousins chucking up perimeter shots... yuck) or an inability to guard the paint/rim on defense, both of which are fatal against elite teams. Monta is a perimeter player, who are less important in today's game on defense.
This doesn't even begin to address Cousin's disposition and instability. Bill and Jalen have touched on it, but how many players would really want to play with Cousins and his antics? He's not just crazy like MWP, he lashes out at coaches, teammates, etc. There's always the hope that he's turned over a new leaf or does so in the future, but it's less likely than him simply remaining who he is at this point.
to Cousins credit, he has grown up a lot this year. he has been rather well behaved and I haven't heard much of his antics this season.
didnt the lashing out at teammates and coaches happen earlier this season?
also, bayless warned for this horrible flop
that's worse than harden, dunno why the league doesn't just fine them. even heinsohn, the biggest homer of all announcers called it flop. lol
Cousins got reallymad at Isaiah Thomas for going up to shake hands with Chris Paul after a game loss the clippers. That's kind of the only drama I can recall so far this year.
edit: I'm not sure if I linked it at the current time frame but skip to 9:25 or around there.
I read the article about his remarks. More glorifying of an era that is hyped up to be better than it actually was.
I like the ball movement of today, it's fun to watch teams like SA (even the Raptors lately) when the get the ball swinging. I agree with the glove about the defensive rule changes and general loosening of whistles since then, even the best defenders can't really prevent players from getting where they want to go.
I personally preferred watching the NBA basketball that Payton is talking about, I guess because it felt more physical, more real, and more personal. These days I see things that happen in games and playoff series where it feels like I'm watching professional wrestling.
Yes, the league has an issue with the way they ref guys at times. I think just about anyone who loves the game wishes we didn't have to see some the stupid calls that are made and just let guys be physical. Watching Lebron back down Barea and get called for a foul is the height of bad refereeing.
However, defenses were allowed to use hand checking which is a swing in the opposite direction and contributed heavily to why the league couldn't generate as much money as they can now. The defenses weren't even better - they just got a chance to impede guys from moving around and it allowed bad players to stay on the court. Sure it was more physical, but that didn't mean it was better. I like the modern game where offenses and defenses are free to have as many options as possible to win the game.
When I watch those old games with crazy pace, eternal back downs, iso fests with 4 guys standing around, illegal defense rendering strategy as easy as find an iso scorer in the post ===> win, and horrible defenders just arm barring guys I laugh that people want that version of the league back. Those glory Bulls, Knicks, Suns, etc teams of those days exhibited only some of the worst qualities, but weren't representative of the league as a whole. Majority of the games were absolutely unwatchable. Even worse is Peyton bringing up scoring when his era had the insane FT attempts and huge PPG guys relative to now. Someone dropping 50 back then wouldn't be as big a deal as it is now.
The league has certainly improved its rules a bit. The problem is that they simply do not punish players enough for flopping. In particular, they do nothing to address the lategame scenarios where a player flops, gets the call, then the team wins the game.
Yes I know all points are worth the same, but when Paul Pierce exaggerates contact and throws up a nonsense "shot" with 2 seconds on the clock, and gets to take 2 FTs, well no fine will suffice in rectifying that.