AROUND the NBA: Dirk and Blake Griffin Join Amazon's New Show

[Knutsen]

Developing chemistry with our future 1st round pick Hugo Gonzalez.

Or paving the way for a reunion with Luka, after he flames out of the NBA in the next 2-3 years because of chronic calf problems…

[KillerLeft]

Oh really?  I haven't seen him in any recently - bad as in just a jerk or bad as in not knowing basketball (or both)?

Bad as in "doesn't get how the world works." 

I'm noticing this more and more among these pro-level athletes who don't make it. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, not sure. On the same day a few weeks ago, I saw two interviews, back-to-back. Same podcast (whatever Theo Pinson's is called). The first was with Spencer Dinwiddie, who offered a nice mix of things he felt were out of his control over the years, things he didn't understand at the time but has since learned about and things that caused him to work harder than expected to overcome. It was interesting and enlightening, and I came away from it with a deeper understanding and empathy for him as a person and a professional. 

The second was with Willie Cauley-Stein, and all he had was like an hour's worth of "here's how I was mistreated at every step of the way," "here's how the deck was stacked against me from day one" and "here's how they cost me millions over the years." I came away from that feeling like I knew EXACTLY why so many teams have washed their hands of him, despite his obvious physical gifts. Almost every time I've seen DSJ talk I've had a similar experience. I just don't think he understands how to make himself an indispensable employee.

[Jmaciscool]

Bad as in "doesn't get how the world works." 

I'm noticing this more and more among these pro-level athletes who don't make it. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, not sure. On the same day a few weeks ago, I saw two interviews, back-to-back. Same podcast (whatever Theo Pinson's is called). The first was with Spencer Dinwiddie, who offered a nice mix of things he felt were out of his control over the years, things he didn't understand at the time but has since learned about and things that caused him to work harder than expected to overcome. It was interesting and enlightening, and I came away from it with a deeper understanding and empathy for him as a person and a professional. 

The second was with Willie Cauley-Stein, and all he had was like an hour's worth of "here's how I was mistreated at every step of the way," "here's how the deck was stacked against me from day one" and "here's how they cost me millions over the years." I came away from that feeling like I knew EXACTLY why so many teams have washed their hands of him, despite his obvious physical gifts. Almost every time I've seen DSJ talk I've had a similar experience. I just don't think he understands how to make himself an indispensable employee.

Good to know, I remember his tenure with the Mavs didn't end in a very mature fashion, so seems like maybe he hasn't learned much since then.  Maybe being out of the NBA will serve as a wake up call.

[KillerLeft]

Good to know, I remember his tenure with the Mavs didn't end in a very mature fashion, so seems like maybe he hasn't learned much since then.  Maybe being out of the NBA will serve as a wake up call.

It's just my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. I'm just saying I have no problem never thinking about him again, personally.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Boston beat Toronto by 54 in their first meeting..Toronto got some revenge tonight beating them 110-97 tonight. Celtics are 7-7 after a 21-5 start.

[Chicagojk]

I knew OKC would be better but this good? Up 30 in their rematch against Cleveland.

Mavs may be better suited to to the long range view on how they can improve their team and how they can play better in the regular season to set themselves for a less difficult playoff road.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I knew OKC would be better but this good?  Up 30 in their rematch against Cleveland.

Mavs may be better suited to to the long range view on how they can improve their team and how they can play better in the regular season to set themselves for a less difficult playoff road.

What's amazing is they're doing this without a big. Hartenstein is out. OKC's defense is outstanding, when they turn you over they make you pay. And the MVP is SGA's to lose. He gets whatever he wants on the floor.

[Knutsen]

What's amazing is they're doing this without a big. Hartenstein is out. OKC's defense is outstanding, when they turn you over they make you pay. And the MVP is SGA's to lose. He gets whatever he wants on the floor.

They have the same record now and are both on pace for 70 wins seasons - the amazing thing is that OKC is doing this with Holmgren as their second best player missing most of the year and Hartenstein also missing a lot of games already. The western conference is definitely theirs to lose and it‘s not even close.

[Chicagojk]

They have the same record now and are both on pace for 70 wins seasons - the amazing thing is that OKC is doing this with Holmgren as their second best player missing most of the year and Hartenstein also missing a lot of games already. The western conference is definitely theirs to lose and it‘s not even close.

It is pretty crazy at their talent evaluation and player development seeing how many once undrafted or second round picks are playing key roles for them.    

It is also a tad depressing seeing the season SGA is having.   We were all hoping Luka would take advantage of his prime and get an MVP or two.   Still time for that, but two years ago if you told me SGA would be where he is now, I would not have believed it.

[DallasMaverick]

It is pretty crazy at their talent evaluation and player development seeing how many once undrafted or second round picks are playing key roles for them.    

It is also a tad depressing seeing the season SGA is having.   We were all hoping Luka would take advantage of his prime and get an MVP or two.   Still time for that, but two years ago if you told me SGA would be where he is now, I would not have believed it.

I wonder how the Clippers are feeling about that trade now.

[Chicagojk]

I wonder how the Clippers are feeling about that trade now.

Just amazing.  I think there have been several other really good pieces to that trade.   J Williams too, I believe.

Presti is really good at his job, but I think he would even say that he wasn't expecting this.    Last year entering the playoffs, I thought there was a clear difference between Luka and SGA.  SGA really impressed me in that series against us.  He has gone up a notch this year.   I think peak, in shape Luka is the better player, but it has been almost a year since we have seen that Luka...despite leading this team to the finals last year.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Just amazing.  I think there have been several other really good pieces to that trade.   J Williams too, I believe.

Presti is really good at his job, but I think he would even say that he wasn't expecting this.    Last year entering the playoffs, I thought there was a clear difference between Luka and SGA.  SGA really impressed me in that series against us.  He has gone up a notch this year.   I think peak, in shape Luka is the better player, but it has been almost a year since we have seen that Luka...despite leading this team to the finals last year.

I agree that Luka needs to get in optimum condition for that to happen. That's on him. You can tell SGA is highly motivated to be one of the best in the league, and it shows in his game. Every year it seems he adds something to his bag. He had 40 pts in 29 mins, and sat the 4th qtr. I only remember prime Klay Thompson and Kobe Bryant doing anything similar.