NBA Arguments Tangent Thread

[Guy Chamberlin]

I'm loving the suggestion in this thread that the Bulls would have no issue shutting down the combination of Durant (Who is a better scorer than anyone the Bulls ever saw, and might be the most versatile scorer ever), Curry (The best shooter ever, who knocks down 3s at a much higher clip than the Bulls ever seen. He also, relentlessly moves without the ball), and Thompson (who might also be a better shooter than anyone the Bulls ever played, and he's one helluva defender. The Warriors would completely overwhelm those Bulls teams. I mean, the best version of those Bulls teams lost 2 games in the Finals to Malone, Stockton.... And Hornacek? 

Those great perimeter shooters on the Warriors were also great penetrators and finishers. One way the game has changed is to stretch the perimeter and force your big defenders away from the basket. It only works if you have dangerous outside shooters, and those Warriors had three of the most deadly in the game.  And sometimes that left Iguodala to take the winning shot.

Utah is playing that kinda game right now. Gobert definitely helps, but they will kill you with team-wide outside shooting. 

 

[Mavric]

Even as an agnostic, I believe Stephan Curry's pull-up 30 footers are a gift from God, and that Jordan's Bulls would not have been able to shut him down over a 7 game series. 

Wouldn't have to slow him down in a seven-game series when the Bulls win in five.

 

[Decked]

The NBA is terrible. Alright time to shut this thread down. 

 

[teachercd]

I mean...

Magic Johnson

Shaq 

Isiah Thomas

Karl Malone

Clyde Drexler

Those are guys that the Bulls all beat in the finals or on the way to finals.  Klay doesn't make that list.  Maybe one of KD or Steph, but probably not.

Rodman or Pip would abuse KD when he had the ball.  Plus, he is sort of a baby, which means Rodman would own his mind.

We sort of already know the Bulls would win because they never lost in the finals, didn't GS blow a 3-1 lead to pretty much just James.  It was 5-1 and they lost.

Just do the matchups.

Can MJ guard Steph and Klay, Yes.  Can they guard him, no

Can Pip guard Steph, Klay and KD?  Yes, can they guard him?  Not really, KD sucks at defense so Thompson would have to run with him.

Do they have anyone that can keep Dennis off the glass AND out of their fragile minds?  No

Both centers suck.

 

[teachercd]

I'm loving the suggestion in this thread that the Bulls would have no issue shutting down the combination of Durant (Who is a better scorer than anyone the Bulls ever saw, and might be the most versatile scorer ever), Curry (The best shooter ever, who knocks down 3s at a much higher clip than the Bulls ever seen. He also, relentlessly moves without the ball), and Thompson (who might also be a better shooter than anyone the Bulls ever played, and he's one helluva defender. The Warriors would completely overwhelm those Bulls teams. I mean, the best version of those Bulls teams lost 2 games in the Finals to Malone, Stockton.... And Hornacek? 

Malone and Stockton are two of the best to ever play the game.  Ever.

 

[B.B. Hemingway]

Wouldn't have to slow him down in a seven-game series when the Bulls win in five.

Surely you don't believe the Bulls would actually win in 5....

 

[B.B. Hemingway]

Malone and Stockton are two of the best to ever play the game.  Ever.

Yeah. I guess. 25 years ago, though. Stockton wouldn't be able to score on most of the guards today, and couldn't guard many of them. Malone was good, but there's guys his size with PG skills, and far better outside shooters. I have my doubts a guy like Malone could stay in front of a Gannis, or Embiid. 

Here is a completely serious question. Would those Jazz teams even have made the Playoffs in the West this year? Maybe the 8th seed?

 

[teachercd]

Yeah. I guess. 25 years ago, though. Stockton wouldn't be able to score on most of the guards today, and couldn't guard many of them. Malone was good, but there's guys his size with PG skills, and far better outside shooters. I have my doubts a guy like Malone could stay in front of a Gannis, or Embiid. 

Here is a completely serious question. Would those Jazz teams even have made the Playoffs in the West this year? Maybe the 8th seed?

Yeah, just like the old Spurs teams would have made the playoffs, they just played really solid basketball.

Isn't Embiid hurt again?  He has probably missed more games in his career already than Malone ever did.

Gannis is awesome,, no doubt about that.

 

[Archy1221]

The NBA is terrible. Alright time to shut this thread down. 

Probably the best post in this thread 

 

[Guy Chamberlin]

I mean...

Magic Johnson

Shaq 

Isiah Thomas

Karl Malone

Clyde Drexler

Those are guys that the Bulls all beat in the finals or on the way to finals.  Klay doesn't make that list.  Maybe one of KD or Steph, but probably not.

In 20 years when we're trying to tell young people about the legends that came before them, KD and Steph Curry are most definitely on that list. As third options go, Klay Thomson is a luxury. I'd definitely take him over Drexler and the second guard on most of those teams. Draymond Green will be remembered every bit as much as Dennis Rodman. Maybe we'd be a bit clouded by personal nostalgia, but that's how it is when people think Magic, Bird, Shaq, and Jordan. Definitely legends, but time moves on. 

You can also ask Shaq and Magic themselves. They have tons of pride in their own games, and totally understand the changes in the game, but they have no problem declaring Steph Curry and Kevin Durant unprecedented talent. Some Bulls and Pistons pretend they would have shut down Durant or Curry with old school bad-assery, but plenty of the old guard are willing to give the new talent their due.  Barkley says Klay may be an even better pure shooter than Curry. He talked a lot of trash about finesse teams and three-point shooters, but he's come around to respect their game. The best teams in the NBA may drop a lot of 3s, but they also play really good defense. 

If you really want to play Dream Team and ignore the changes in the game and athleticism, what would happen if you matched up the 1992 superstars with the 1965 Superstars?  Would a team that started Wilt Chamberlin, Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West teach Jordan, Bird, and Hakeem a lesson?  Honestly don't know. Which is why these debates go on. 

Probably the best post in this thread 

If you don't like the NBA, this might not be the thread for you. 

 

[JJ Husker]

Obviously the athleticism, training, style of play, etc. has changed greatly over 30 to 50 years. What would be really interesting is seeing what all these superstars would do fully in a different era. Don’t take Wilt the stilt as he is from the 60’s but rather if he truly came of age in the 90s or 2000s with all the advantages that would provide. Now that would be fun to see.

Im still taking Lillard if I need a last second 3 made though.

 

[Archy1221]

If you don't like the NBA, this might not be the thread for you. 

That’s possible.  Though wonder why this message didn’t go to the original poster  :dunno

 

[Cdog923]

Also, those Durant/Curry/Thompson Warrior teams would of kicked Jordan's a$$ too. 

 

 

[Cdog923]

In 20 years when we're trying to tell young people about the legends that came before them, KD and Steph Curry are most definitely on that list. As third options go, Klay Thomson is a luxury. I'd definitely take him over Drexler and the second guard on most of those teams. Draymond Green will be remembered every bit as much as Dennis Rodman. Maybe we'd be a bit clouded by personal nostalgia, but that's how it is when people think Magic, Bird, Shaq, and Jordan. Definitely legends, but time moves on. 

You can also ask Shaq and Magic themselves. They have tons of pride in their own games, and totally understand the changes in the game, but they have no problem declaring Steph Curry and Kevin Durant unprecedented talent. Some Bulls and Pistons pretend they would have shut down Durant or Curry with old school bad-assery, but plenty of the old guard are willing to give the new talent their due.  Barkley says Klay may be an even better pure shooter than Curry. He talked a lot of trash about finesse teams and three-point shooters, but he's come around to respect their game. The best teams in the NBA may drop a lot of 3s, but they also play really good defense. 

The recency bias in this post is amazing. 

 

[teachercd]

The recency bias in this post is amazing. 

Amen!

Rodman is in the HOF, Green will never be.  How would they be considered the same?  Green cost him team a title, Rodman only helped them win.

And this weird idea of athleticism?  Zero people think Steph and Klay are amazing athletes.  Everyone knows that Pip, MJ and Rodman are freaks

And is not about being a bad a$$, it was about being able to play like a bad a$$.  Steph breaks down NOW, when there is no contact.  Green freaks out like a b!^@h NOW when there is no contact.

And the Bulls never lost in the finals.  GS choked away a title to one of the worst final teams ever, it was just LBJ, good lord, was Kevin Love on that team???