Bill Russell was a winner. Period. it’s only because he wasn’t a great offensive force that he isn’t considered the GOAT. 11 championships in 13 seasons? Absurd.
You cant be serious. Even Magic and MJ gave Bird nothing but props. Stories of Bird by the most respected players are legendary
Pure emotion. Same way I hate the C Bags. And prolly cuz he was the first true enemy in my basketball life. Same with Ainge.
Caruso couldn't carry Hornaceks jock on the offensive end and vice versa. Ainge was a heady player, crafty and decent all around but Hornacek could flat out score and shoot from anywhere. Great complimentary role for Stockton and Malone. Averaged 15 points 4 reb & 4 asst. a game in the playoffs on 50% and 43% from 3. Decent defender and gritty as hell, traditional Jerry Sloan type of player. Hated Utah but respected Sloans teams and guys like the above mentioned. I remember Utah always gave us trouble. Mark Eaton was a wall of a center too, those boys were tough. Blue Edward's, Tom Chambers... I really miss that Era of ball
One of the best bad shot makers I've ever seen play in the league. Could shoot moving left or right laterally jumping off the wrong leg, one handed floaters before that ever was really a thing but not just going to the rim. Moving laterally away from it as well. He made shots and I was always thinking no way that goes in lol. He bashed on all the bigs to like David Robinson and even Shawn Kemp. Was a bulldog on defense and sent peoples s-hit airmail into the stands all the time. Sorry reminiscing... I couldn't find a video that paid true homage to his bad shot making ability so this will have to do until I can dig something up
Found a really interesting article about Harden's athleticism, and more importantly, what sets him apart from others. It's not speed, but actually his ability to decelerate and stop faster than just about any athlete. Dr. Brar even chimes in: Sports scientist breaks down James Harden’s elite deceleration ability (usatoday.com)
i think luka's got incredible deceleration too, iirc. strength and body control are underrated aspects of nba players' "athleticism". we get excited by speed, quickness, and (especially) hops, but being strong and balanced confers a huge advantage. it was a big reason wade was able to be successful despite not being a shooter and why i think THT is intriguing.
Simmons got smacked leaving Philly like this in the floods the other day ..... this is for the organization. Sixers .... can't trust the process OR the organization any more. Hate to see it happen to a couple of stand up guys like Morey and Rivers. Sit out Ben .... https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-ben-simmons-disinclined-help-152401886.html
This article backs Rivers and basically says Ben is soft. While I don't disagree that Ben may be slightly soft I completely disagree with backing Rivers here after he said he didn't know if Simmons was a starting point guard for a championship team to the public. Rivers has been involved in some form or fashion with the NBA for 30+ years. They have PR teams that school/teach you what to/not to say in the public eye. Someone in his position with less experience knows not to say what he said to the public about one of his players. Number 1 it doesn't create trust/confidence between player and coach and has exactly the opposite effect. Number 2 and probably more importantly to the organization, it devalues him as a trade asset. I mean how completely incompetent is Rivers or Morey for that matter? If they were smart they would have publicly denounced what Embid said and steered the opposite direction publicly. Afterwards discussed in private their concerns moving forward creating a trustworthy environment where Ben wouldn't feel like an outcast of the front office and coaching staff. The league is laughing at this dumpster fire right now and it couldn't have happened to anyone better then Morey and Rivers
