News from the Orlando Bubble

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

It is kind of crazy how good the Lakers have been on defense when they came into the bubble with a guy like Bradley staying at home. Lebron has really stepped up on that end and it's just been suffocating to watch at times. They pretty consistently build 15-20 point leads off extended defensive lockdowns and highly efficient offense that's not always shooting the lights out from 3.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I've been impressed by the Lakers. While it's easy to lament their success, they are not exactly stacked with elite talent after you get past LeBron and AD. It's mostly a group of grizzled vets and unsexy role players just doing their part.

They have also demonstrated that size, defense, and rebounding still can be a winning formula. They are in the lower half of all playoff teams this year in both 3-point attempts and 3-point percentage. Meanwhile, Houston got bounced from the playoffs once again after pushing the envelope of small ball/3-point shooting to the limits. Hopefully Rosas isn't wedded to just one way of doing things....

[AbeVigodaLive]

I've been impressed by the Lakers. While it's easy to lament their success, they are not exactly stacked with elite talent after you get past LeBron and AD. It's mostly a group of grizzled vets and unsexy role players just doing their part.

They have also demonstrated that size, defense, and rebounding still can be a winning formula. They are in the lower half of all playoff teams this year in both 3-point attempts and 3-point percentage. Meanwhile, Houston got bounced from the playoffs once again after pushing the envelope of small ball/3-point shooting to the limits. Hopefully Rosas isn't wedded to just one way of doing things....

That's a pretty large elephant in the corner of the room though...

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I've been impressed by the Lakers. While it's easy to lament their success, they are not exactly stacked with elite talent after you get past LeBron and AD. It's mostly a group of grizzled vets and unsexy role players just doing their part.

They have also demonstrated that size, defense, and rebounding still can be a winning formula. They are in the lower half of all playoff teams this year in both 3-point attempts and 3-point percentage. Meanwhile, Houston got bounced from the playoffs once again after pushing the envelope of small ball/3-point shooting to the limits. Hopefully Rosas isn't wedded to just one way of doing things....

That's a pretty large elephant in the corner of the room though...

Not sure what you are getting at. If your point is that AD and LeBron is one hell of a pairing, I agree. However, other title contenders have been better at the top 3 or 4 spots of the roster than the Lakers: LeBron/Wade/Bosh; Curry/Klay/Durant/Draymond; Duncan/Kawhi/Manu/Parker; LeBron/Irving/Love; Kawhi/Lowry/Siakim/Gasol.

It's hard to name who really stands out after you get past LeBron and AD. Most two-headed teams in past years have not been able to win a title.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I've been impressed by the Lakers. While it's easy to lament their success, they are not exactly stacked with elite talent after you get past LeBron and AD. It's mostly a group of grizzled vets and unsexy role players just doing their part.

They have also demonstrated that size, defense, and rebounding still can be a winning formula. They are in the lower half of all playoff teams this year in both 3-point attempts and 3-point percentage. Meanwhile, Houston got bounced from the playoffs once again after pushing the envelope of small ball/3-point shooting to the limits. Hopefully Rosas isn't wedded to just one way of doing things....

That's a pretty large elephant in the corner of the room though...

Not sure what you are getting at. If your point is that AD and LeBron is one hell of a pairing, I agree. However, other title contenders have been better at the top 3 or 4 spots of the roster than the Lakers: LeBron/Wade/Bosh; Curry/Klay/Durant/Draymond; Duncan/Kawhi/Manu/Parker; LeBron/Irving/Love; Kawhi/Lowry/Siakim/Gasol.

It's hard to name who really stands out after you get past LeBron and AD. Most two-headed teams in past years have not been able to win a title.

How many teams have had "arguably" the two best players in the league at the same time?

Curry and Durant were up there. James and Wade were fairly close. But we can go back to 2002 to see that having only two isn't unprecedented. Shaq and Kobe were clearly so much better than anybody else on that roster... and arguably most of the rest of the league. And as you noted, it was another team where everybody knew their role and bought in. And that's clearly one of the things that separated the Lakers from a team like the Clippers or even the Rockets.

[Coolbreeze44]

I haven't been able to participate in this thread. And the reason is I haven't watched one minute of playoff basketball this year. Not even my 2nd favorite team the Milwaukee Bucks. I just completely lost interest with the combined protests of the league and players. I appreciate the protests being peaceful and I fully support the right to do it. I also believe there is systematic racism in this country and that black lives matter. But living here in Portland, I know the movement is not peaceful and it's done irreparable damage to mine and other cities across the country.

I love basketball and hope I can regain enthusiasm for the NBA product by next season. If not I'll sit it out again and follow the Wolves through your eyes.

Hey Cool. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. As I watch what's happening in this Country lately, I'm beginning to understand how Alice must have felt when she fell down the rabbit hole. It is beyond bizarre as people spin narratives out of their own distorted sense of reality. It truly is surreal. And I completely understand why you've lost interest in the NBA. So far I've resisted my impulse to do the same, but it's not easy. Thankfully, I see find NBA basketball and draft intrigue an escape from all the unpleasant weirdness around us. I agree with all the sentiments you've expressed. And as someone with relatives in Seattle, I think I understand the situation you alluded to in Portland. I really enjoy and learn a lot from your insights. So I hope you can rekindle your interest in NBA basketball. In the meantime, stay safe. And please keep posting.

Thanks Lip. I'll be here posting no matter what. You guys are like a family after all these years. Hopefully i can enjoy the league again soon, but i will always enjoy the Wolves.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I haven't been able to participate in this thread. And the reason is I haven't watched one minute of playoff basketball this year. Not even my 2nd favorite team the Milwaukee Bucks. I just completely lost interest with the combined protests of the league and players. I appreciate the protests being peaceful and I fully support the right to do it. I also believe there is systematic racism in this country and that black lives matter. But living here in Portland, I know the movement is not peaceful and it's done irreparable damage to mine and other cities across the country.

I love basketball and hope I can regain enthusiasm for the NBA product by next season. If not I'll sit it out again and follow the Wolves through your eyes.

Hey Cool. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. As I watch what's happening in this Country lately, I'm beginning to understand how Alice must have felt when she fell down the rabbit hole. It is beyond bizarre as people spin narratives out of their own distorted sense of reality. It truly is surreal. And I completely understand why you've lost interest in the NBA. So far I've resisted my impulse to do the same, but it's not easy. Thankfully, I see find NBA basketball and draft intrigue an escape from all the unpleasant weirdness around us. I agree with all the sentiments you've expressed. And as someone with relatives in Seattle, I think I understand the situation you alluded to in Portland. I really enjoy and learn a lot from your insights. So I hope you can rekindle your interest in NBA basketball. In the meantime, stay safe. And please keep posting.

Thanks Lip. I'll be here posting no matter what. You guys are like a family after all these years. Hopefully i can enjoy the league again soon, but i will always enjoy the Wolves.

Ironically, it's your local area team that reignited my interest.

Dame Lillard was a lot of fun to watch. I haven't found that lynchpin with either the NFL or MLB... although I did tune in to the see the Twins implode the past couple of days.

[Coolbreeze44]

I haven't been able to participate in this thread. And the reason is I haven't watched one minute of playoff basketball this year. Not even my 2nd favorite team the Milwaukee Bucks. I just completely lost interest with the combined protests of the league and players. I appreciate the protests being peaceful and I fully support the right to do it. I also believe there is systematic racism in this country and that black lives matter. But living here in Portland, I know the movement is not peaceful and it's done irreparable damage to mine and other cities across the country.

I love basketball and hope I can regain enthusiasm for the NBA product by next season. If not I'll sit it out again and follow the Wolves through your eyes.

Hey Cool. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. As I watch what's happening in this Country lately, I'm beginning to understand how Alice must have felt when she fell down the rabbit hole. It is beyond bizarre as people spin narratives out of their own distorted sense of reality. It truly is surreal. And I completely understand why you've lost interest in the NBA. So far I've resisted my impulse to do the same, but it's not easy. Thankfully, I see find NBA basketball and draft intrigue an escape from all the unpleasant weirdness around us. I agree with all the sentiments you've expressed. And as someone with relatives in Seattle, I think I understand the situation you alluded to in Portland. I really enjoy and learn a lot from your insights. So I hope you can rekindle your interest in NBA basketball. In the meantime, stay safe. And please keep posting.

Thanks Lip. I'll be here posting no matter what. You guys are like a family after all these years. Hopefully i can enjoy the league again soon, but i will always enjoy the Wolves.

Ironically, it's your local area team that reignited my interest.

Dame Lillard was a lot of fun to watch. I haven't found that lynchpin with either the NFL or MLB... although I did tune in to the see the Twins implode the past couple of days.

Luckily I was at work and couldnt watch much of the Twins. It's gotten embarrassing.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I haven't been able to participate in this thread. And the reason is I haven't watched one minute of playoff basketball this year. Not even my 2nd favorite team the Milwaukee Bucks. I just completely lost interest with the combined protests of the league and players. I appreciate the protests being peaceful and I fully support the right to do it. I also believe there is systematic racism in this country and that black lives matter. But living here in Portland, I know the movement is not peaceful and it's done irreparable damage to mine and other cities across the country.

I love basketball and hope I can regain enthusiasm for the NBA product by next season. If not I'll sit it out again and follow the Wolves through your eyes.

Hey Cool. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. As I watch what's happening in this Country lately, I'm beginning to understand how Alice must have felt when she fell down the rabbit hole. It is beyond bizarre as people spin narratives out of their own distorted sense of reality. It truly is surreal. And I completely understand why you've lost interest in the NBA. So far I've resisted my impulse to do the same, but it's not easy. Thankfully, I see find NBA basketball and draft intrigue an escape from all the unpleasant weirdness around us. I agree with all the sentiments you've expressed. And as someone with relatives in Seattle, I think I understand the situation you alluded to in Portland. I really enjoy and learn a lot from your insights. So I hope you can rekindle your interest in NBA basketball. In the meantime, stay safe. And please keep posting.

Thanks Lip. I'll be here posting no matter what. You guys are like a family after all these years. Hopefully i can enjoy the league again soon, but i will always enjoy the Wolves.

Ironically, it's your local area team that reignited my interest.

Dame Lillard was a lot of fun to watch. I haven't found that lynchpin with either the NFL or MLB... although I did tune in to the see the Twins implode the past couple of days.

Luckily I was at work and couldnt watch much of the Twins. It's gotten embarrassing.

33 seasons combined for Twins + Wolves since the 2004 run:

1 win. 22 losses.
0 - 7 playoff series.

-----

Lucky we have the Wild.

They're a scintillating 4 - 12 in the playoffs in their last three visits. That means they actually won 2 games in a series once!

18 - 37 overall in the playoffs since 2004... with TWO playoff series wins!

[Monster]

I haven't been able to participate in this thread. And the reason is I haven't watched one minute of playoff basketball this year. Not even my 2nd favorite team the Milwaukee Bucks. I just completely lost interest with the combined protests of the league and players. I appreciate the protests being peaceful and I fully support the right to do it. I also believe there is systematic racism in this country and that black lives matter. But living here in Portland, I know the movement is not peaceful and it's done irreparable damage to mine and other cities across the country.

I love basketball and hope I can regain enthusiasm for the NBA product by next season. If not I'll sit it out again and follow the Wolves through your eyes.

Hey Cool. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. As I watch what's happening in this Country lately, I'm beginning to understand how Alice must have felt when she fell down the rabbit hole. It is beyond bizarre as people spin narratives out of their own distorted sense of reality. It truly is surreal. And I completely understand why you've lost interest in the NBA. So far I've resisted my impulse to do the same, but it's not easy. Thankfully, I see find NBA basketball and draft intrigue an escape from all the unpleasant weirdness around us. I agree with all the sentiments you've expressed. And as someone with relatives in Seattle, I think I understand the situation you alluded to in Portland. I really enjoy and learn a lot from your insights. So I hope you can rekindle your interest in NBA basketball. In the meantime, stay safe. And please keep posting.

Thanks Lip. I'll be here posting no matter what. You guys are like a family after all these years. Hopefully i can enjoy the league again soon, but i will always enjoy the Wolves.

Ironically, it's your local area team that reignited my interest.

Dame Lillard was a lot of fun to watch. I haven't found that lynchpin with either the NFL or MLB... although I did tune in to the see the Twins implode the past couple of days.

Luckily I was at work and couldnt watch much of the Twins. It's gotten embarrassing.

33 seasons combined for Twins + Wolves since the 2004 run:

1 win. 22 losses.
0 - 7 playoff series.

-----

Lucky we have the Wild.

They're a scintillating 4 - 12 in the playoffs in their last three visits. That means they actually won 2 games in a series once!

18 - 37 overall in the playoffs since 2004... with TWO playoff series wins!

How many playoff wins do the Vikings have in that time? Is it more than all those franchises combined? And that's with Then playing only 1 games series?