It was a better conference when Jordan played, too, especially after the Detroit Bad Boys aged out. Don't get me wrong, the Jordan Bulls were always the class of the league but MJ almost always had a much easier path to the finals than anybody in the west. Lebron's path was even easier.
Phoenix being competitive/ a playoff or play-in team is a stunner. They are plucky AF and Booker is much more comfortable being the man instead of sharing the load with KD. I bagged on their owner for mortgaging their future, but they've made a rather remarkable ascent given their limited assets. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they have the star firepower to make much noise in the playoffs but they are certainly going to be a pain in the ass for everybody they face.
I went last night. I was having a fit every time they closed out on Cidy Sissoko. Did they not have a scouting report on him after watching him lay bricks every day for two and a half years? Also, I’m not sure why Blake Wesley got a tribute video and Sidy didn’t. Actually I’m clueless why Wesley got a tribute video at all and shocked that they had enough clips to make one. Hopefully when Sochan comes bank to visit playing for another team the tribute video will be of him riding the exercise bike in the tunnel because he spent a lot of time on that sumbitch last night. We can dissect whatever part of the game you want, but the truth about this team is the same as it was before the season: it doesn’t have enough guys who can knock down an open three. They were out scored by 27 from three last night. They were out scored from three by 27 against Utah when they lost and by 18 when they lost to Cleveland. It’s not a mystery although it would help if they defended the three a lot better too. Barnes is in a massive slump. Vassell is out and even when he’s in, he’s streaky as hell. Vic is out. They needed Champagnie to have the game of his life to beat the Knicks. Fox has been better from three than advertised but still… You can’t be this incompetent from three in today’s NBA and expect to win.
Anybody else have the spurs down for having the second best record in the entire league after New Years with Wemby missing 12 games and on a minutes restriction in about 10 more?
I'd love to have Coleman, but it feels like we lose most of these very public portal battles. The WR from Pitt who went to USC, the end from TCU who went to OU, etc. We've done the most damage with guys who we blatantly poach seem to appear in the portal out of the blue and immediately sign.
He won't be eligible for it if he doesn't play 65 games this year (which is a virtual lock) or next year before the extension kicks in. The most they can pay him is 25% of the cap if that happens. The last thing I'm rooting for is him to get hurt and there's a zero percent chance the Spurs try to fuck with him... but they are rightfully being extremely careful and likely overcautious with any sort of injury that he gets. And I don't think he really cares. He's playing the long game.