gotta get some love for Kristaps Porzingis-a legit star-if he can stay healthy he has unlimited potential.
His timing, defense,footwork,shooting,ballhandling...whew...all at 7' 3" 
my Knicks finally have something to cheer for-Jeff Hornaceck is doing an excellent job, finally freed from Phil's triangle lunacy.
He's playing fantastic -- a Rik Smits/Andrei Kirilenko hybrid -- playing the way I always thought AK would in Utah -- struggles ahead for Jazz w/no Rudy
their game tonite w/Cleve will tell much -- w/Joaquin Noah back in uniform? Still no definite word on IT
Terry Rozier has become a crucial part of the rotation now too -- the picks we've had are really stepping into it -- Shane Larkin playing good minutes
nope I was all wrong coming into season -- didn't think all the trades would work in our favor, but they sure have, & as kevdab said -- Kyrie is the man -- he's fit in better & faster than I thought -- a shot like that to the chops, Ouch
same thing AB in Detroit, he's fit right in & Pistons playing like their Ft. Wayne days 😮
Suddenly, it's Paul George's team -- they played great, Melo sat out last night -- they & Cleve will get going soon (Cavs starting tonight? 😛 ) -- gotta feeling Melo's minutes going to decrease -- Adams also missed last nite for OKC
still watching my other big 3s, MN, & NO-when-Rondo-arrivo
Celts Have Been Amazing, Keep It Going Boys!
[Edited on 11/13/2017 by Stephen]
Is Boston the team to beat in the East? It's way early, but right now it's looking that way.
We'll find out Thursday 
(at this early time of season)
Kyrie fitted w/facemask, unsure if making Brooklyn trip
First sentence in today's Celtics Notebook section:
"At 21 years old and only in his second NBA season, Jaylen Brown is still in the rudimentary stages of everything."
That's kinda what I was referring to in that 11/7 post -- he D'd up big-time contesting DeRozan's last shot
another headline reads "Somehow Streak At A Dozen"
it's amazing & awesome what Celts are doing -- Theis has stepped up -- GSW as usual playing really good
[quote
Celts Have Been Amazing, Keep It Going Boys!
[Edited on 11/13/2017 by Stephen]
I guess it just takes a coach from Indiana, huh?! 😉
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
An amazingly fun night in the Garden last night...despite the intense defensive focus on KP,Kanter,Lee, and Hardaway were excellent almost toppling the Cavs.
Lebron became a 4th qtr. assist machine and Korver went off...they scored 43 in the 4th and squeaked by the Knicks.
Something is definitely starting to happen for NY hoops...it's been a long time!
Caves look awful and need some defense in general and some interior help.
Jazz as always impossible to figure
Not so much now with the Stifle Tower out for awhile
that's the perfect nickname for Rudy -- get back quick big guy
Kristaps/Kanter will have field day on Thursday -- MN did last night also
After countless dormant years, Sixiz are back & for real
also Thurs, Kyrie will play against GS -- let's go Celts, watta team
[Edited on 11/15/2017 by Stephen]
Kristaps/Kanter will have field day on Thursday -- MN did last night also
also Thurs, Kyrie will play against GS[Edited on 11/15/2017 by Stephen]
make that tonight swifty
Kyrie played, our starters accounted for all but seven points last night
yet our MVP was probably Marcus Smart -- forget 6th man voting now, he's it hands down
we have a super-interesting amazing team so far -- this early-season game will be a Funner (That's the Thurs. one)
another home feast To-Night for John Ringo, I mean Paul George & OKC, & what in the name of Luc Longley is w/da Bulls
He's On The Floor 😮 -- someone ahead of him will have to sit (or injury) for RR to get his chance w/DMC & AD for NOP -- if chemis-try among That 3 it's new-age space-age hoops to who knows where & beyond, real zany 😮
[Edited on 11/15/2017 by Stephen]
Joel Embiid pours in career-high 46 points as Sixers sink Lakers
LOS ANGELES — It was Joel Embiid Career Night at the Staples Center.
The center finished with career highs of 46 points, seven assists and seven blocks Wednesday night in a 115-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Embiid also had career highs in made field goals (14), made free throws (16) and free throw attempts (19). He added 15 rebounds to finish with second straight double-double, his sixth of the season. Embiid tied his season-low for turnovers with just two. He averages 4.4 per game.
“I was just playing basketball basically,” Embiid said of being in a groove. “They just kept throwing the ball to me in the post. And I kept finding new ways to score the ball and I went to the free-throw line. That’s where I was best at last year. I felt like today I did a great job.”
The 7-foot-2, 282-pounder fouled Lakers reserve post player Julie Randle with 24.8 seconds left.
“And with me using different moves and attacking them, they didn’t really know what to do,” Embiid said.
The Eurostep and Hakeem Olajuwan’s ‘Dream Shake’ were two of the many moves he used to score against the Lakers.
In the process, he was first player in NBA history with at least 46 points, 15 rebounds, seven blocks and seven assists in a game. He was first Sixer to score at least 40 since Allen Iverson had 45 in 2006.
“I wish I could have had a quadruple-double with blocks, shoutout [Miami Heat center] Hassan Whiteside,” Embiid said. “But like I said, I just went out there and played basketball and played the right way.
“I wasn’t forcing nothing, Playing with my teammates, passing the ball.”
The two turnovers was the thing he was most happy about tonight.
Teammate Ben Simmons also had a solid game. The point guard finished with 18 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. He was one rebound shy of his third triple-double.
The victory improved the Sixers to 8-6 as they won for the seventh time in the last nine games. They are on their best start through 14 games since the 2012-13 season when the Sixers also went 8-6.
Nineteen of Embiid’s points came in the fourth quarter of this close game. With the Sixers down one, he converted a three-point play to put the Sixers ahead 103-101 with a little over four minutes to play.
Simmons followed that with a 10-foot jumper on the ensuing possession. After the Lakers pulled within one point, Embiid made a pair of foul shots to give the Sixers a 107-104 lead with 2 minutes, 52 seconds remaining.
The Sixers opened up an eight-point cushion (112-104) after three-pointer by Robert Covington and a jumper by JJ Redick.
The Lakers pulled within four points with 46.5 seconds left. However, Embiid scored a layup with 26.1 seconds remaining to make it a 114-108 game.
“He’s a beast,” Simmons said. “He’s been doing really well [and] he’s been getting better every game. We’re getting better playing together.”
This game featured the much-anticipated matchup between Simmons and the Lakers’ Lonzo Ball.
The point guards came into the season at the leading candidates to win rookie of the year. Simmons has since separated himself from Ball, who has been struggling.
This game was a one-sided battle, as Ball failed to live up the hype.
He struggled from the field, finishing with two points on 1-for-9 shooting. The 6-foot-6, 190-pounder missed all six of his three-point attempts. He was benched in fourth quarter for the second consecutive game.
Brandon Ingram led the Lakers (6-9) with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
I finally have a reason to watch the Sixers again. It's been brutal
Kristaps/Kanter will have field day on Thursday -- MN did last night also
After countless dormant years, Sixiz are back & for real
wasn't as easy as hoped for-jazz defense was pretty good and knicks were a bit off defensively-luckily Hardaway had another great 4th qtr.
sixers-EMBILD/SIMMONS=this combination of talent is incredible-what a joy to watch.pretty good supporting cast as well.
Lonzo will be a good player eventually, but he's clearly struggling..and far from Magic's fantasy that Lonzo will be "the face of the franchise"
This game featured the much-anticipated matchup between Simmons and the Lakers’ Lonzo Ball.
The point guards came into the season at the leading candidates to win rookie of the year. Simmons has since separated himself from Ball, who has been struggling.
This game was a one-sided battle, as Ball failed to live up the hype.
I heard an announcer say the other night that Lonzo Ball is shooting under 30% both from the field and from the three point line. Wow is all I can say. It's early, and Kobe Bryant had some mighty struggles his rookie season as well when he was only 18. That said, there is HUGE pressure on Ball, a lot of it from his jerk Father who has made statements like "He is better than Steph Curry". Mmmmm........under 30%..........you look awful foolish right now Daddy.........
Congrats Stephen and all other Celts fans hanging here.
I was very, very impressed by Boston tonight. It looked like The Warriors had this game in the bag in the first half. Celts proved they not only have a ton of talent, they have a ton of heart. They wanted this one BAD. Hey, not sending out a Warriors death knell just yet. It's one game. But it was a big, big win for Boston. They proved something tonight: Even with Hayward out, they are NO joke!
Long way to go folks, and once Cleveland gets some of their players back they could still be a force to be reckoned with.
This game featured the much-anticipated matchup between Simmons and the Lakers’ Lonzo Ball.
The point guards came into the season at the leading candidates to win rookie of the year. Simmons has since separated himself from Ball, who has been struggling.
This game was a one-sided battle, as Ball failed to live up the hype.
I heard an announcer say the other night that Lonzo Ball is shooting under 30% both from the field and from the three point line. Wow is all I can say. It's early, and Kobe Bryant had some mighty struggles his rookie season as well when he was only 18. That said, there is HUGE pressure on Ball, a lot of it from his jerk Father who has made statements like "He is better than Steph Curry". Mmmmm........under 30%..........you look awful foolish right now Daddy.........
to show how bad it is. i saw ben simmons could miss 90 of his next 100 shots and still have a better shooting percentage than lonzo ball does at this moment
Hats off to Brad Stevens. For the majority the NBA is players leagues ,where I think the coaches are interchangeable/expandable except for a few that make a difference, and Brad does. Losing GH I thought might hurt them , but they are playing great ball. It will be interesting once he comes back(next year I assume?) on how the rotation pans out and the whole team responds. I am sure they will be fine do to their coach.
Its a shame he did not stay at Butler, but hey, what do you do when you receive that offer?!?!
I like this quote from Danny Ainge about what he said during the 2010 NCCA finals between duke and butler.
Minutes before the championship game of the 2010 N.C.A.A. men’s basketball tournament, the coaches of the two finalists, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke and Brad Stevens of Butler, gathered for the ritual handshake.
Sitting in the stands, Stephen Pagliuca, an owner of the Boston Celtics and an admirer of the Blue Devils, said, “There is the best coach in college basketball.”
Sitting next to Pagliuca was Danny Ainge, the general manager of the Celtics. He remembered turning to Pagliuca and saying: “You’re right. Brad Stevens is the best coach in college basketball.”
And that, Pagliuca recalled, was the first time he heard Ainge mention the name of the individual who is now the Celtics’ head coach.
“I was only trying to bust Steve a little,” Ainge said recently. “But I’d seen a lot of Brad over the years, and I was impressed by his coaching and by the way his teams played. I meant what I said.”
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Hats off to Brad Stevens. For the majority the NBA is players leagues ,where I think the coaches are interchangeable/expandable except for a few that make a difference, and Brad does. Losing GH I thought might hurt them , but they are playing great ball. It will be interesting once he comes back(next year I assume?) on how the rotation pans out and the whole team responds. I am sure they will be fine do to their coach.
Its a shame he did not stay at Butler, but hey, what do you do when you receive that offer?!?!
I like this quote from Danny Ainge about what he said during the 2010 NCCA finals between duke and butler.
Minutes before the championship game of the 2010 N.C.A.A. men’s basketball tournament, the coaches of the two finalists, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke and Brad Stevens of Butler, gathered for the ritual handshake.
Sitting in the stands, Stephen Pagliuca, an owner of the Boston Celtics and an admirer of the Blue Devils, said, “There is the best coach in college basketball.”
Sitting next to Pagliuca was Danny Ainge, the general manager of the Celtics. He remembered turning to Pagliuca and saying: “You’re right. Brad Stevens is the best coach in college basketball.”
And that, Pagliuca recalled, was the first time he heard Ainge mention the name of the individual who is now the Celtics’ head coach.
“I was only trying to bust Steve a little,” Ainge said recently. “But I’d seen a lot of Brad over the years, and I was impressed by his coaching and by the way his teams played. I meant what I said.”
[/quote
absolutely...Pops,Kerr,Brad Stephens(& yes, others are excellent-there are some really great NBA coaches)-those three are the elite coaches in the NBA.
Last night's game was truly excellent...Celts have talent & chemistry & i was surprised at the poor play by GS in the final minutes...blame the refs all you want-the Warriors shot themselves out of the game-live by 3 die by 3-yup,that's their game...but,a few layups, strong drives inside, even some post ups might have helped...nothing sinful about winning games with 2 pointers.
Thanks robslob et al -- nope the boys kept their composure down the stretch & played fantastic -- totally didn't foresee this level of play early on in season -- warriyz as dadof2 pointed out like to hoist the 3s -- Kyrie threw up that one from the parking lot in the final minutes that missed, but make no mistake -- he's been tremendous as was readily evident last night
looks indeed like it can be sustained -- the boys didn't have the look of a club playing over its head, or "overachieving" last night
all the best, that was top shelf hoops
Celts Have Been Amazing, Keep It Going Boys!
I guess it just takes a coach from Indiana, huh?! 😉
that hoosier pedigree 😮 -- Tommy Heinsohn, who knows a thing or two about these things, has said how impressed Red would be with coach Stevens too
They should play that game tonite in Ft. Wayne 😮 -- That'd be a real hoosier-fest -- Pistons played there from 1941-57 -- Larry-less Pacers looking to re-establish
keep humble & rock on Celts, what a treat so far
Celts Have Been Amazing, Keep It Going Boys!
I guess it just takes a coach from Indiana, huh?! 😉
that hoosier pedigree 😮 -- Tommy Heinsohn, who knows a thing or two about these things, has said how impressed Red would be with coach Stevens too
They should play that game tonite in Ft. Wayne 😮 -- That'd be a real hoosier-fest -- Pistons played there from 1941-57 -- Larry-less Pacers looking to re-establish
keep humble & rock on Celts, what a treat so far
I grew up just about 20 mins north of Ft Wayne.
Some of my older relatives use to watch the Zollner Pistons play.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Too cool bro -- the Zollner Pistons 
-- their mascot, The Bomb -- story in today's paper was about a robot just like the Big Z, Doing BackFlips & Stuff, Outta Control --
dig the photos from that era -- they look like your everyday city men's league team playing at the local gym -- & They Got Big Z (haha)
-- good win last nite for Pacers -- great ballgame w/6 players from each team making double figures, bomb
crazy as it seems, lowly Hawks as big a challenge as GSW -- they nearly beat us last week & we could be ripe for a letdown after big GS win -- w/supposedly-easy Dallas next
young as we are we could hit wall -- OMGosh tho watta start --
don't listen to me -- thought we'd struggle adjusting to new roster -- also, 2 games into the much hyped 😛 start of NOP Big 3....no one is home.... 😮 , now a concussion (what a shock) for AD
also, they're PHILA Warriors all over again, should be Very interesting game 2nite & when was the last time you could say that about the PhiladelphiaWarriors...... 😮 😉 -- they can be a lot more deliberate w/Marquelle Fultz now, not that they weren't before....
Warriors took Philly's BEST shot last night in Philly and were down by 22 points at halftime. By the end of the third quarter the Warriors were up by 10. That is right folks...........A 32 POINT SWITCH in the third quarter alone. They held Philly to 15 points in the third. Final: Warriors 124 76ers 116.
Philly looks like a force however...........Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Covington, J.J. Redick. No more easy wins against this team. The parity now in the NBA is like nothing I really can remember...........more good teams around than ever.
[Edited on 11/19/2017 by robslob]
Celts Have Been Amazing, Keep It Going Boys!
I guess it just takes a coach from Indiana, huh?! 😉
Larry-less Pacers looking to re-establish
Pacers started out pretty solid for a young team and revamping of a good part of the roster. They then dropped four in a row and then won 4 out of 5. So we shall see!
I think it was time for Larry to step down. I think he got a free pass for awhile because of who he was. Being a great player does not always equate being a great manager.
The Paul George seems to be working out for the Pacers.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Celts Have Been Amazing, Keep It Going Boys!
I guess it just takes a coach from Indiana, huh?! 😉
Larry-less Pacers looking to re-establish
Pacers started out pretty solid for a young team and revamping of a good part of the roster. They then dropped four in a row and then won 4 out of 5. So we shall see!
I think it was time for Larry to step down. I think he got a free pass for awhile because of who he was. Being a great player does not always equate being a great manager.
The Paul George seems to be working out for the Pacers.
Good point -- sorta thought that when he coached too in a way -- during timeouts the other coaches seemed to draw up the plays & generally be more active -- he gave it a try
Big one in Auburn Hills 2nite, will Det draw their 22G w/LBJ & Cavs in the palace (they still play there?)
Tor has 3rd best record in league, is for real & will be there -- their Lowery-Demar backcourt is dynamite
NYK has winnable one tonite & is improving -- as robslob said good to see the East Conf strengthening --
...mid Nov & Warriyz got Pac Div locked 😮 :wtf: -- they visit OKC Wed
It's big 2nite, G3 summit of Big 3dom
13A, 10Rb, 10Pts -- that's the line I wanna see from Rajon 2nite
It's All Green, The Leprechaun Is Loose Amid Cigar Smoke, it's crazy -- a squad unlike any other, Keep It Going Boys
[Edited on 11/20/2017 by Stephen]
knicks are facing a problem as teams are both double teaming and playing with great physicality vs. KP.And,they are taking it to him on the defensive end to get him into foul trouble.
he is still learning and his reactions in the double team are far from fluid at this point, but he tends to improve quickly-he's a quick study...
the real question is, can he hold up to the physical beatings he's gonna get? I think Lebron set the stage for how to guard KP in the 4th qtr. of their game last week.
the clippers should really be a lot better-a coaching change has been in order for awhile....
Big night for Kyrie Irving to pull that game out.
Celtics will be here on Saturday. Hopefully the Pacers will come to play, it will be tough.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
They will -- Pacers going good in torrid Central Div --
Atlantic Div much-improved too, so yeah, A Good One in store on the hoosier hardwood in the heartland 2nite -- Marcus M. likely to sit out, he hasn't played in any back to backs yet, good call -- maybe 33 will be there to see firsthand about the Celts & cheer on his team -- both teams
Aron Baynes (13/11) -- Terry R (23p) last nite -- we spread it around -- we're a young, athletic well-balanced club with a high collective hoop IQ -- we'll be tested to the 9s 2nite, both teams will be on top of it
then it's Det -- looked it up & saw that Palace at Auburn Hills is no longer home to Pistons -- they recently imploded the Georgia Dome -- is the Palace next? 😮
[Edited on 11/25/2017 by Stephen]
Philly looks like a force however...........Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Covington, J.J. Redick. No more easy wins against this team. The parity now in the NBA is like nothing I really can remember...........more good teams around than ever.
[Edited on 11/19/2017 by robslob]
Yet all 3 Atlantic teams lost at home 2nite -- Cavs are definitely back, they are cranking ever since putting Jose Calderon in starting lineup, and LeBron is the best player in the world
The Celts? What could we do -- they showed up with Big Z 😮 😛 -- let's go Celts
yes offense is not his thing, But
27 min., 0 points, little else Sat against GSW -- that's not doin it
thought RR'd jump right in w/NO, not yet -- interesting one Wed. w/MN,
then PHILA pays a visit Thurs -- as dadof2 said at start of thread, fun season -- the concerns you posted b4 about Kristaps being beaten on proved out, good one -- NYK just 1 game this week, favorable for Kanter's return -- quietly hoping NY & Phil do well.....well sorta... 😮
[Edited on 11/28/2017 by Stephen]
Jazz as always impossible to figure
old friend Jonas Jerebko has become a key starter & suddenly, an improbable W4 without Rudy going into tonight's game against an NO team struggling w/Big3 chemis-try
former Jazz top pick Alec Burks, 28 off the bench last night -- things can turn quickly in this league, Kelley O now starting for Miami w/Whiteside out -- Amir Johnson started last night for Phila --
Let's Go Celts --
Rajon Rondo's hands-off approach offensively isn't doing it, the 0's stand out like a sore thumb -- rooting for Jazz 2nite (they're my west conf team), wanna see a few RR triple doubles too
Spurs are NBA's Patriots, win win win no matter who's injured under longtime coach etc. -- Kahwi Leonard returning this month sometime -- hopefully IT soon too -- Gordon rehab is on schedule -- let's go Celts
[Edited on 12/1/2017 by Stephen]
yet our MVP was probably Marcus Smart -- forget 6th man voting now, he's it hands down
Like Dennis Eckersley b4 him 😮 , Dwayne Wade has found a 2nd career as 6th man & has moved into the picture -- Alec Burks too -- no, not hands down for Marcus
Cleve chemistry tho -- like a machine now, However -- IT & Derrick Rose returning -- can't tinker w/lineup tho so what will they do....
Isaiah -- he left it all on the garden parquet last year, he's permanent in all Celts fans' HOFs -- he was best in the world last year
now it's us, Cleve, Houstn & GSW
he's eased into retirement & Happy Birthday (imitating C's PA announcer), "number33,LlllarryBiirrrD"
Ya Huge Fri. -- Jaylen (eye) cleared to play -- Kahwi close to returning -- Manu now 8th-9th off bench now -- wattateam, let's go Celts
[Edited on 12/7/2017 by Stephen]
Cav's are getting hot ,13 in a row I believe. Here tonight against the Pacers. Hopefully Indiana will give them a game.
Philadelphia 76ers trade Jahlil Okafor, Nik Stauskas to Brooklyn Nets for Trevor Booker
http://www.nba.com/article/2017/12/07/jahlil-okafor-phaildelphia-76ers-brooklyn-nets-trade#/
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
last night's philly/lakers game was tremendous-a showcase for the young up and coming stars...even Lonzo played great last night 😉 i thought philly was the better team but their defensive lapses were too much to overcome-Simmons & Embild are mindblowing!
as a premature thought on mvp...Harden has been awesome-but Lebron is the MVP so far imho...
Chris Paul is surprising me with his play-i really never thought he'd fit in this well & this quickly...if their team defense holds they will be taken very seriously....
