2019-20 NBA Thread of Threads

[FiddySicks]

22 minutes ago, Atomic said:

On that note -  Let's get back to actual NBA discussion and stop diving into the Chinese Political landscape. 

 

This is very ironic considering the topic. 

 

Final thing I'll say about it is this. While I definitely think China is being ridiculous in their response, why does this surprise anyone? If you put that much financial stake in a country like China, to the point where it can seriously hurt your bottom line if you go against what they want, you're pretty much going to have to lay in the bed you've made if it goes south. 

 

 

The illusion that the NBA is this "woke" league compared to all the other pro leagues is just that. An illusion. And the illusion that Lebron is anything more than just your typical, out of touch millionaire is the same thing. It was a nice trick they got to play for awhile, but we all know (and deep down, have ALWAYS known) that CREAM is the standard with these huge multinational corporations and the rich people involved with them. Why would the NBA be any different from any other major company? None of them give a single about anything other than sweet, sweet cash.  

 

If anything, I think this is good because it exposes the league, and Lebron, for what they really are.  

[Atomic]

2 minutes ago, Bucfan56 said:

 

This is very ironic considering the topic. 

Agreed 100%, especially since the 2 are one and the same for the moment. 

 

The issue in this thread in particular is when certain individuals derail it with term papers on the complete history of Chinese politics. It just opens a Pandora's Box and I don't want the thread to devolve from its true intent. 

 

Trust me, I get what you're saying Buc, but sometimes we can't have nice things here. 

[Ferdinand Cesarano]

2 hours ago, anythinglogos said:

The defense of national territorial integrity at the cost of people losing human rights from someone who has repeatedly brought Forward the idea that national teams are bad because they promote nationalism sound a bit hollow.

 

I am not defending national territorial integrity; I am noting the reason for the Chinese obsession with it, and for the tremendous offence that they take about it.

 

41 minutes ago, Red Wolf said:

“Fighting oppression is the same as imperialism” is definitely one of the stranger takes I’ve seen regarding anything ever. 

Except the Hong Kong protesters are not "fighting oppression".  What they are fighting is China's legitimate use of its governmental authority to adjudicate a criminal case. While the Chinese government's response to the protests has certainly been excessive, its original exercise of authority in the extradition was not.
 

 

39 minutes ago, Atomic said:

On that note -  Let's get back to actual NBA discussion and stop diving into the Chinese Political landscape. 

 

I'm for that.  Of course, the two are now to some extent intertwined.  The league has already stated that it won't police the expressions of opinions of its employees.  And that does not please China.  This is why the two viewpoints are incompatible. 

The NBA is trying to have it both ways: to defend individuals' freedom of speech while at the same time appeasing China.  In my view it should give up on appeasing China, and should concentrate on places like Spain.  In so doing, the league would make a lot less money in the short term; but there would be no more walking on eggshells to avoid offending Chinese sensibilities, as the sailing would be smoother on account of the lack of serious cultural clashes.

 

 

18 minutes ago, Bucfan56 said:

The illusion that the NBA is this "woke" league compared to all the other pro leagues is just that. An illusion. . . . Why would the NBA be any different from any other major company?

This is correct.  While major pro sports in play a positive role in general in the world, the large companies that run them must not be allowed to masquerade as charitable organisations. 

 

Also, we should remember that an employee can get in trouble for knocking a corporate partner, whether that partiner is a foreign government or a private company.  For instance, if an NBA team's employee were to tweet a criticism of Nike's manufacturing process, or were to express support of someone who had been suspended by Turner Sports, that employee would be called on the carpet for jeopardising these relationships, and arguments about freedom of speech would not be raised.  The China thing is this, writ large.

[Red Comet]

Rookie of the year odds, everyone. And to the surprise of nobody, Zion is the runaway favorite.

[Ferdinand Cesarano]

3 minutes ago, Red Comet said:

Rookie of the year odds, everyone. And to the surprise of nobody, Zion is the runaway favorite.

 

Williamson looks strange wearing number 1, a guard's number.  It seems to me that he should be wearing something like 32 or 33 or 44.

 

I suppose I'll get used to it if he keeps that number.  But right now it is like seeing a pitcher with a single-digit number.

[FiddySicks]

D/P, my B. 

[FiddySicks]

30 minutes ago, Atomic said:

Agreed 100%, especially since the 2 are one and the same for the moment. 

 

The issue in this thread in particular is when certain individuals derail it with term papers on the complete history of Chinese politics. It just opens a Pandora's Box and I don't want the thread to devolve from its true intent. 

 

Trust me, I get what you're saying Buc, but sometimes we can't have nice things here. 

 

That's fair. Sad it has to be that way, but I can't begrudge your logic. 

[The_Admiral]

 

[infrared41]

11 hours ago, Ferdinand Cesarano said:

A frequent fantasy of mine is of New York City seceding from the United States. However, if there ever were a serious mass movement putting people into the streets in support of this proposition, then American federal authorities would crack down with a brutality at least equal to that which we see on the part of the Chinese government.

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Sure, we'd lose good stuff like....ok, I'm thinking....we'd lose....yeah, what good stuff would we lose exactly if NYC became an independent state?  

 

(It's a joke, son. No need for a 43 paragraph dissertation on the greatness of New York City or the economic impact or why it's a good idea, etc., etc. Just let it sit there and be the joke I intended it to be, OK? Thanks.)

[dont care]

mod edit 

[FiddySicks]

24 minutes ago, dont care said:

If NYC seceded it would lose support of the rest of the US and all the companies would find a new east coast port city like Jacksonville or Charleston to move to, and probably enjoy the lower tax rates for a time.

 

 

Aaaaaaaaand if I can, make it there, I'll make it... Anywhere.

It's up to you, Charleston, South, Carolinaaaaaaaa. 

[dfwabel]

On 10/10/2019 at 10:49 AM, dfwabel said:

Gulp...

 

And just like that Bradley Beal signs on for two more years at max level with WAS plus a player option for 2022-23

 

Since those who sign extensions cannot be traded until six months after the date of league approval, Beal cannot be traded for this season since six months is after the trade deadline.

 

Plus, this note from Bobby Marks,

 

[DG_ThenNowForever]

Good for Beal. Get paid while you can!

 

The 2020 FA market is going to be so sad compared to today. Lots of RFAs, though even then, I expect Siakam to be locked up any day now.

 

Is the biggest 2020 free agent now Brandon Ingram? Who am I missing?

[dfwabel]

1 hour ago, DG_Now said:

Good for Beal. Get paid while you can!

 

The 2020 FA market is going to be so sad compared to today. Lots of RFAs, though even then, I expect Siakam to be locked up any day now.

 

Is the biggest 2020 free agent now Brandon Ingram? Who am I missing?

Unrestricted?

Gallanari

Favors

Harrell

Dragic

M. Gasol

Ibaka

VanVleet

 

 

Restricted?

Hield

Jaylen Brown

Sabonis

Bogdanovic

 

Hield and Brown have turned down $90M and 80M extensions already.

 

 

[dont care]

If brown thinks he’ll get more than that in FA he’s crazy

[DG_ThenNowForever]

52 minutes ago, dfwabel said:

Unrestricted?

Gallanari

Favors

Harrell

Dragic

M. Gasol

Ibaka

VanVleet

 

 

Restricted?

Hield

Jaylen Brown

Sabonis

Bogdanovic

 

Hield and Brown have turned down $90M and 80M extensions already.

 

 

 

It'll be crazy when Montrezl Harrell gets a max deal.

[Satomiblood]

Not a good look for Hield. This offer complaint might hurt his stock a little bit.

[DG_ThenNowForever]

20 minutes ago, Satomiblood said:

Not a good look for Hield. This offer complaint might hurt his stock a little bit.

 

Hield said that no good FAs ever go to Sacramento and he's right.

 

Sacramento can pay him what he wants, pay Fox what he wants, pay Marvin Bagley what he wants, and they can find themselves -- in face of all odds -- competitive with a young core.

 

Instead they want to nickel and dime a good shooter and give that money to Trevor Ariza. Okay, whatever.

[Satomiblood]

10 minutes ago, DG_Now said:

 

Hield said that no good FAs ever go to Sacramento and he's right.

 

Sacramento can pay him what he wants, pay Fox what he wants, pay Marvin Bagley what he wants, and they can find themselves -- in face of all odds -- competitive with a young core.

 

Instead they want to nickel and dime a good shooter and give that money to Trevor Ariza. Okay, whatever.

 

My issue is him airing it out publicly. He has a right to be dissatisfied with that contract offer, but he should keep that between himself, his agent, and the Kings' front office.

[DG_ThenNowForever]

1 minute ago, Satomiblood said:

 

My issue is him airing it out publicly. He has a right to be dissatisfied with that contract offer, but he should keep that between himself, his agent, and the Kings' front office.

 

Airing it publicly is a negotiating tactic.