NBA: 2014-2015 Season

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I edited my previous post to include that update. Reading Facebook again, I read that LeBron James wouldn't mind a shorter season regardless of if you shorten the minutes to games or not. You know the desire for change is recognized when two of the game's biggest stars have a similar viewpoint on a certain issue.

So let's kind of track a few things. There was talk long ago about extending the All-Star Break to a full week. Dirk and LeBron had their thoughts about shortening the season. Dirk suggested a 65-game season. If you take the combination of a possible 65-game season along with something like making All-Star Break a week-long deal, I could certainly imagine this being possible and doable. Playing so frequently borderlines like baseball. Basketball is much more physical than baseball, and it isn't like most basketball players and teams can go for multiple days or playing on successive days like baseball players. Heck, baseball teams may even play doubleheaders!

If to protect the players, I am fairly open to the idea of a shorter season. I am not sure about truncating the length of games in addition to truncating the number of games for a season, though. I tend to be more in favor of fewer games than I am shortening the length of games. So I would answer "B" to the question I asked initially in Post #238.
 
I think it goes either way to be honest, if they're gonna keep the season to 82 games then they should cut it to 44 minutes but if the season was shortened to 65 games then the game should stay at 48 minutes.
 
Omnis
edit: @Paulie, I feel bad for Exum and Jazz fans.

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LMAO :lol:. On Dante Exum: "But it's OK because he's Australian and Australians are cool people." "It's like the operation was a success but the patient died." I also lol'ed at the Marcus Smart vs Exum animation.:lol:
 
I think rather than a shortened season, what if they did a minimum minutes rule for all the players on your roster.

In other words, make everyone play a certain amount of time per season. This would keep rosters clear of Juwan Howards and Greg Odens, or they would actually have to play. If the stars don't want to play so much basketball, make the bench matter more and carry the load.
 
Exum had a much better game today....though it was against the Lakers. 13pts and 6ast with no turnovers for him, while Brock Motum also came in and scored 7pt in 10mins. Baynes scored 11pts for the Spurs while Duncan rested.
 
Any thoughts you'd like to share on the Portland Trail Blazers and/or the San Antonio Spurs this upcoming season, @a6m5 ? How do you think each team will do this season?
 
JohnBM01
Any thoughts you'd like to share on the Portland Trail Blazers and/or the San Antonio Spurs this upcoming season, @a6m5 ? How do you think each team will do this season?
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I haven't given it much thought to be honest. Portland lost Mo Williams, who I was never big on, but on our thin roster, he added that much needed veteran depth. This year, we did add Steve Blake(once again) & Chris Kaman. Blake is that aging & mediocre, but fairly reliable backup point guard, but with Kaman, I'm not sure what to expect. His previous run-ins with coaches tells me that he'll like be a issue to a degree in the locker room(@McLaren may be familiar on this), but it's a new team, he's older, so I don't now.

Was 13/14 a fluke for Portland, or can they do it again? I think only time would tell.

Spurs, it's Timmy, it's Pop, and filled with talented players who behave like pros. They are too old again, but they are the team you have to go thru again, if you want to contend. I just hope Patty's shoulder's coming along good. Man, he looked awesome last year.

How about your Rockets, John? If anything, Rockets roster took a hit this off-season? Of course, they have gained more experience playing together, so they will have that going for them. I said they weren't a contender last year, I still don't see it for them. Like Portland, I think they are still another piece or two short.
 
I don't know much about Kaman's past prior to Dallas other than he was touted as being a gifted player, just never actually developed into one. Dirk & Carlisle seemed to have warm words for him. I'm sure LA was in a mess other things to really even notice Kaman. After all...
020514-NBA-Kamans-couch-twitter-photo-PI.jpg
 
I've been asking other people about other teams. So I may as well talk about my Rockets per the request of my man a6m5.

To be honest, I don't know what to think about the Rockets. As long as Dwight Howard and James Harden can stay healthy, the Rockets should have no problem being and remaining contenders. My only concern is if this team can establish itself as a true contender. They know what it takes to be a champion and have a good set of players to make it happen. Trouble is, can they put it all together and be one of the better teams- or perhaps be near elite level? The Rockets don't have superstar talent from top to bottom, but they certainly have a lot of heart. It's their hustle and drive that makes the Rockets such a powerful team. This is a bad reference, but this is like the proverbial one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest... do you have enough in you to still win even if you're limited or not as capable? The one thing I can hope for is that the Rockets maybe surprise me.

If we make the playoffs, the game-winning three in Game 6 of last season's First Round of the playoffs still stings for the Rockets. Of course, that #4 vs. #5 match seemed more like #3 Portland and #6 Houston rather than Houston being the higher seed. I just don't want the Rockets to keep being like the Atlanta Hawks of the Western Conference- talented enough to make the playoffs, but not talented enough to go deep into the playoffs. Houston needs some kind of pro sports champion. I'm sick of Houston teams playing great but constantly failing in the postseason. We need some winners. Maybe it's the Rockets. A third championship for this proud franchise would be nice. Maybe more than three would be even sweeter.


So that is somewhat the pulse of Rockets Nation.
 
My Suns team was built for 48 minutes of high-speed murder. So I don't really want games to be shortened, and if it's about wear and tear, why not put more into getting better health services?
 
You know, shortening games won't solve a damned thing, it will mean the same number of minutes for star players and less for the bench. Shortening the season is the only viable option to help maintain player health, and doing away with back-to-backs entirely in the process wouldn't hurt either.
 
Today is the Celtics at Nets in a Preseason Game. What's the significance of this one? This is the game of four 11-minute quarters as opposed to four 12-minute quarters. So this is the 44-minute game, and it's on deck right now about to tip-off shortly. It's on NBA TV if you have that channel. Here are some of the talking points:

* four 11 minute quarters (as opposed to four 12-minute quarters)
* 2 mandatory timeouts per quarter (as opposed to 3 timeouts in 2nd and 4th quarters)

The NBA will study the flow of this game and think about if this could result in shorter games in the future. I just wanted to provide this heads-up to you all.
 
Little bit upset the Mavs lost the game to the Cavs, but it is a pre-season game so no worries. Parsons looking really good though; attacked the bucket even with the "almighty" LeBron on him. He's going to fit into our offensive firepower beautifully when Monta/Jameer drive to the bucket to let him & Dirk ISO. Dirk's quick release looks really good as well. His shot over Varajeo probably would have been blocked a couple years ago.
 
Paulie
You know, shortening games won't solve a damned thing, it will mean the same number of minutes for star players and less for the bench. Shortening the season is the only viable option to help maintain player health, and doing away with back-to-backs entirely in the process wouldn't hurt either.
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Make the bench play more? It'd be good for the fans, too. Bench players in? Time to get nachos.
 
Omnis
Make the bench play more? It'd be good for the fans, too. Bench players in? Time to get nachos.
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And how do you do that? How do you tell Thibodeau that Rose can't play 48mins/game? If teams want to win, they'll keep their best players out there for as long as they can be effective.
 
Well then why ask for a shorter season? Limit players to 30 minutes per game-- that's the same revenue for the league and less wear n tear on the players.

It would also flip the free agent market on its head. Suddenly the big 3 era becomes the big bench era.
 
At least with a shorter season that's 10-20 games less wear and tear/year. I'd personally like to see them keep the same number of games and minutes and just do away with the pre-season.
 
Paulie
You know, shortening games won't solve a damned thing, it will mean the same number of minutes for star players and less for the bench. Shortening the season is the only viable option to help maintain player health, and doing away with back-to-backs entirely in the process wouldn't hurt either.
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Shortening the season down to 75 or something like that would be fair to me there are at least 7 games I truly don't care about most of the season and they all happen in April lol.

I can see only giving Star Players like 35 min per game too.

For the love of god help out College Hoops as well make it two and done at least or as someone stated either go for 3 or come out of high school.
 
Actually, I don't even know if they need to make a rule or shorten the season. Just get a better team so you don't have to rely on star power. Look at San Antonio. Duncan and Parker sat like hens and they still won the ship.
 
Stavingo
Yeah pre-season is a bit meh, should be SL then straight to NBA games.
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But how else are you gonna figure out rotations, set minutes, and just find out what can win against somewhat NBA competition? You can't do that in practices, and definitely not in summer league.

Also, this is a good read. ESPN is stating that the reason for the Laker's downfall is none other than Kobe's ego.
 
Then limit the pre season games and/or mix them into the SL like a knockout style, I think that would most likely work.
 
Omnis
Actually, I don't even know if they need to make a rule or shorten the season. Just get a better team so you don't have to rely on star power. Look at San Antonio. Duncan and Parker sat like hens and they still won the ship.
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That's not exactly easy when you have small-market teams; they rely on star players to attract others if they're still in rebuild or in an less-than-ideal location. Star players are what people pay to see.

San Antonio won because of a great coach & a decade of team chemistry between its elite. It's why they're "boring".

My only thing with shortening the games/seasons is will it affect the prices. Some of these teams require a stupid amount of money to see; $60 for nose-bleeds to see Kobe & the Lakers play? I'd rather pay $60 for mid-level to see Anthony Davis. At least I can see who he is. With a shortened game, I feel like I get even less for my money.

Shortening seasons sounds like an excuse to up costs. Again, I have 2 chances to see Kobe play here in Dallas & Lakers games sell out within' a month. If they cut that to 1 game for example, I'd expect prices to go up thanks to the demand. I'm not for that.
 
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Even though the Bulls lost today, I'm not worried about the Cavs really. Missing Butler probably had a lot to do with that loss. I mean DunLeavy on Lebron? Really?? Sure Lebron gets his points, but at least Butler will make his life Hell getting those points. And nobody is gonna expect Noah to allow Varejao to score 22 again.

But most importantly, Rose played like his old self, and clearly dominated Kyrie Irving. Even though the stats sheet say they were pretty even, but watching the game said otherwise. When Rose was on the floor, Kyrie couldn't do much.

Now McDermott and Mirotic really need to step up their defense. As for Mirotic, people keep saying European based players are great, and they are, but usually only at one facet of the game. Hopefully Thibs can teach these two the gospel of defense.

Snell I think may be a bust and might get relegated to the D-league again.
 
What the heck is up with Snell? I can't believe a guy that physically gifted can't get minutes. Maybe they should trade him to Milwaukee where he can come off the bench for Parker.

The Heat have been running nothing but 5-out sets this preseason. I hope Spo has more than that otherwise this team isn't going to get rebounds at all. If the shooting is off, they'll lose easily.

I'd like to see them run more horns. Maybe when Granger Bosh and Deng are all on the floor together.

Also, James Ennis looks really good. They're using him like LeBron and Ray Allen in the old plays they've run. The only problem is that he's not getting the respect or attention to draw enough of the defense to him, so the plays are collapsing onto the ball instead. Plays break down.
 
DCybertron
But how else are you gonna figure out rotations, set minutes, and just find out what can win against somewhat NBA competition? You can't do that in practices, and definitely not in summer league.

Also, this is a good read. ESPN is stating that the reason for the Laker's downfall is none other than Kobe's ego.
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Make them learn on the fly at the start of the season? Everyone will be in the same ship.

sumbrownkid
Even though the Bulls lost today, I'm not worried about the Cavs really. Missing Butler probably had a lot to do with that loss. I mean DunLeavy on Lebron? Really?? Sure Lebron gets his points, but at least Butler will make his life Hell getting those points. And nobody is gonna expect Noah to allow Varejao to score 22 again.

But most importantly, Rose played like his old self, and clearly dominated Kyrie Irving. Even though the stats sheet say they were pretty even, but watching the game said otherwise. When Rose was on the floor, Kyrie couldn't do much.

Now McDermott and Mirotic really need to step up their defense. As for Mirotic, people keep saying European based players are great, and they are, but usually only at one facet of the game. Hopefully Thibs can teach these two the gospel of defense.

Snell I think may be a bust and might get relegated to the D-league again.
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I don't know, I thought Kyrie got his own back on Rose too. But if there's one thing you can take from the game, it's that you can't take anything from a pre-season game, I'll reserve judgement for a regular season game.
 
@Paulie

No, Kyrie didn't. At all. He got the bulk of his points off Aaron Brooks, our third string PG. Even the commentators said Irving is not getting much done, if anything, at all against Rose.

True it's a preseason game, but Rose played it like it's a regular season game.
 
What is your outlook on the Chicago Bulls for 2014-2015 @sumbrownkid ? Will their success all depend on D-Rose, or is there a lot more for the Bulls to be a threat this season?
 
JohnBM01
What is your outlook on the Chicago Bulls for 2014-2015 @sumbrownkid ? Will their success all depend on D-Rose, or is there a lot more for the Bulls to be a threat this season?
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My outlook for them is to be right next to the Cavs to battle for the Eastern Conference. The Bulls will rely on Rose obviously, but once McDermott, Mirotic, and Gasol gel, the scoring load should be shared now. Butler's improved play of course is something to get excited about too.
 
One note about that experimental 44-minute game... I heard it took 1:57:00.000 to complete. I am not sure how long an average NBA game lasts, but a complete basketball game under two hours seems pretty good. Basketball is such a fast-paced sport to begin with. Such short games probably include usual things like close scoring or the handling of fouls.

The new season starts only a few days from now.
 

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