At What Point Do We Acknowledge the Tough Questions?

[TrainOfThought5]

Gentleman, we are roughly a quarter of the way into the season, too early to make definitive conclusions, but enough to inspire a few thoughts:

At what point, if at all, do we start Accepting the Lakers mediocrity, dysfunctionality, miscastings, and blatant weaknesses for what it is, ........a team that will miss the playoffs. They are currently under .500 with a rough stretch of games ahead.

At what point, if at all, do we start taking the New York Knicks seriously as a team that may contend to come out of the Eastern Conference?? Theyre passing well, and defending even better. Melo is a being a consummate leader and shumpert will be back soon.

At what point, if at all, do we start to say the Heat are doing more than just coasting... that Wade (a 30+ athleticism-oriented 2 guard) is losing his athleticism right on cue. that without Wade being Wade, and Bosh being soft... Lebron cant carry this team to the top of the mountain, .....the same way he couldnt carry Cleveland.

At what point, if at all, do we start to say that Tim Duncan, whose currently in the middle of a career year is here to stay?? He's currently leading a resurgent San Antonio defense in what looks to be a last hurrah of bigman brilliance, consistently overcoming poor 3 pt shooting nights in tough grind em out victories. Something they were incapable of in the past.

At what point, if at all, do we start to move from the "interesting early season headlines" phase, to the "This is who they are" conclusion? All star game? New Years? Now?

discuss.

[Splits]

Two weeks before the playoffs start.

Except the Fakers one, we all know that's true now.

[Latarian Milton]

many people thought the spurs were done two years ago yet they continued to dominate the league, in the regular season at least. they have a good blend of experience n youth. hope they can figure out a way to deal with monkeyball this season tbh

[Malik Hairston]

The NBA regular season is mostly meaningless, tbh..

The Spurs and Bulls have been regular season powerhouses that failed in the playoffs..the Heat have had long regular season stretches of ineptitude..the Mavs of 2011 were a long shot to make the WCFs, let alone win the title..there are many examples, tbh..

[ElNono]

I normally wait until the AllStar break... at that point, most mid season trades are done and teams already either imploded or show they belong in the conversation...

[purplengold]

afta all-star break is when everybody is where they gon be

[KaiRMD1]

afta all-star break is when everybody is where they gon be

If the Lakers are still struggling to stay above .500, I'll laugh my ass off. But a part of me expects Lamarcus Aldrigde or Josh Smith to be a Laker by the end of the season.

[racm]

Neither of whom will really help as long as Kobe demands the ball, tbh...

[JRHernandez88]

The Knicks are legit. That team WILL challenge Miami this year. Their the only team out East with a chance, tbh.

[Latarian Milton]

heat - NY matchup is gon be fun ta watch n big daddy tyson would the key if NY win. if nigga gets back his 11' form then we genuinely fucked, need to add a fucking big who can rebound to our squad before transfer deadline tbh. philibeaner better know his team ain't gonna survivie with bron being his to rebounder in the playoffs imho

[TrainOfThought5]

Some of these responses have been interesting, tbh. Some people feel comfortable making their conclusions now, while others say wait until all star game. will save for future thread bumping.

[TrainOfThought5]

slight bump. Knicks are (surprisingly?) pretenders. Lakers are trash. Tim Duncan still > Kobe. and word is still out on Heat.