NBA: Opening Day Game Thread

[Darth_Pelican]

I am so interested in seeing how Gentry does. Pels were a horrifically coached team but I wonder if Gentry will cut it as a head coach for this team.

Sucks for him that his entire back court is hobbled though..

It's a long season. I'd rather play .500 ball for the first 20 games then try and rush players back. We'll see what Gentry is made of after the New Year

[Perry Mason]

AD is just not going to win anything as an inefficient long-2 face-up big. Dude get in the post and rain on the Draymond Greens of the league.

AD is also just running at guys. Nice offense AD...

[313]

See the posts above..

I understand the lack of guard play. But he's looked unsteady whenever he's gotten the ball. He needs to develop a go to move.

[HarlemHeat37]

I haven't looked at the numbers, but IIRC, defending champs generally coast on ring night, don't they?

[Killakobe81]

They are scrapping though. That's how you beat GS - scrap it up, consistent energy and hope they get too showboat-y. Kerr did a great job of reigning that in last year where Mark Jackson could not. But now that they have won one? That will be tough IMO. They are talented enough to overcome, but it does hurt them in-game sometimes.

Or you can have a team like SA with two great perimeter defenders..

Warriors not invincible. But i think their new found confidence will allow teams to hang around ...plus they are to loose with the ball but getting these shooters so many open looks is death ...who is gonna out run,and gun them? They will turn it on when needed.

Steph has improved so much as a finisher

[DPG21920]

Not really sure where the Harrison Barnes hype is coming from, I guess just a matter of playing for the Warriors..he doesn't do anything at a notable level..

He has been average in the regular season and slightly worse in the playoffs. But he had some pretty good moments (although not consistently) and he's young and has a good NBA frame. But he's like a worse version of Jeff Green.

[HarlemHeat37]

It's a long season. I'd rather play .500 ball for the first 20 games then try and rush players back. We'll see what Gentry is made of after the New Year

There's a massive drop off after the top 6 in the West..the 8th seed is going to be East-like, tbh..Pelicans will be fine if they hover around .500 until their key guys return..

[DPG21920]

I haven't looked at the numbers, but IIRC, defending champs generally coast on ring night, don't they?

Nah - it's pretty dominating on ring night. The defending champ has a pretty ridiculous record last 10 years or so

[DPG21920]

It's a long season. I'd rather play .500 ball for the first 20 games then try and rush players back. We'll see what Gentry is made of after the New Year

I agree - I'm not really saying anything about the team on their first game with this squad.

[Killakobe81]

He has been average in the regular season and slightly worse in the playoffs. But he had some pretty good moments (although not consistently) and he's young and has a good NBA frame. But he's like a worse version of Jeff Green.

So if you say that why eould or should he get a max deal? He turned down 64 milly

[Brian Windhorst]

How can an NBA team still be giving minutes to Alonzo Gee and Ish Smith? When guys like Ray McCallum are available for a 2nd rounder?

[Brian Windhorst]

Eric Gordon trash against real teams per par

[DPG21920]

Gordon was a redirkulous 3PT shooter last year for PELS - they will need that again.

[HarlemHeat37]

I agree - I'm not really saying anything about the team on their first game with this squad.

Just checked, 2-7 vs. the spread since 2006..

[Killakobe81]

Real talk watriors need to shave off some turnovers to many to beat Spurs, Clips Rox okc Cavs and maybe Bulls

[DPG21920]

So if you say that why eould or should he get a max deal? He turned down 64 milly

Well you are using the term max loosely - his max and what he's asking isn't like Kobe's 25M max. I don't think he's worth it, but when you have a young championship team, you have to keep them together and sort out the money later.

[HarlemHeat37]

Real talk watriors need to shave off some turnovers to many to beat Spurs, Clips Rox okc Cavs and maybe Bulls

Warriors would toy with the Rockets and Bulls, tbh..they match up really well with OKC, too IMO..

[DPG21920]

Just checked, 2-7 vs. the spread since 2006..

AGS, yes, sorry. But ML - home team has won like 10 in a row - didn't know you meant AGS

[HarlemHeat37]

AGS, yes, sorry. But ML - home team has won like 10 in a row - didn't know you meant AGS

Ya, I meant coasting through the game and giving ty effort..seems like a common trend on ring night..

[DPG21920]

There's a massive drop off after the top 6 in the West..the 8th seed is going to be East-like, tbh..Pelicans will be fine if they hover around .500 until their key guys return..

But that top 6 is an absolute lock: GS/LAC/OKC/SA/MEM/HOU - while there is a big drop off, if NO injuries linger it could be a race to the finish IMO. There's enough teams in the West that on a given night can beat you that you can fall behind quickly.

[Kawhitstorm]

Big men who can be serviceable defensively especially against PnR, should be attainable through the draft or free agency.

They already have one, his name is Ezeli

[Killakobe81]

Well you are using the term max loosely - his max and what he's asking isn't like Kobe's 25M max. I don't think he's worth it, but when you have a young championship team, you have to keep them together and sort out the money later.

That is still silly. Paying non max production players max money ... no matter if its Kobe or Barnes isnt smart. And Barnes isnt selling season tix ...

[Killakobe81]

Warriors would toy with the Rockets and Bulls, tbh..they match up really well with OKC, too IMO..

I think they would lock in and not be as careless ...but still they playing down to Nola right now.

[HarlemHeat37]

They already have one, his name is Ezeli

This is true, but finding another Harrison Barnes wouldn't be difficult, either..they don't ask him to do anything but finish and shoot spot-up Js..

[313]

AD getting pity FTs lol