Quick Thoughts

Nearing the middle of the season, NBA fans find that the main stories of the month have been controversies: (1)  LeBron James complaining about management (2) Charles Barkley complaining about LeBron’s complaints, (3) LeBron’s complaints about Barkley’s complaints about LeBron’s complaints, and, of course, (4) Phil Jackson passive aggressive one-sided feud with Carmelo Anthony.  Each of these stories has elements of ridiculousness.  But lost in the silliness are there any legitimately serious … [Read more...] about Quick Thoughts Dumb Controversy Edition

Is it too early to draw any conclusions from this season?  Of course it is!  Over the years, I’ve tried to tell stories and give examples that show not to overreact to small sample sizes.  This year our anecdote takes us back to 2001-02.  For those who don’t remember, that season the Atlanta Hawks signed Jacque Vaughn to help stabilize their backcourt.  Vaughn’s start was monumentally bad.  Through the first four games of that season, Vaughn shot 0-22 and followed that up with a 1-5 showing in … [Read more...] about Quick Thoughts

1.  Back In My Day, Part 50: Charles Barkley is a fun character.  He isn’t stupid but shoots from the hip with his opinions and can say things that sound right but sometimes aren’t.  On the subject of whether the current Warriors could beat the old Michael Jordan Bulls, Barkley said the following on ESPN Radio:  “The Bulls team would kill this little team….Who is going to guard Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan?  What about Dennis Rodman?...[The Bulls] would love playing the way the Warriors … [Read more...] about Quick Thoughts

1. Slow Pacers and Mahinmi’s Shooting: At the end of a ponderous 2014-15 season, Larry Bird and the Pacers decided there needed be changes in style of play. In the context of whether the Pacers wanted big man Roy Hibbert next year, coach Frank Vogel said that “there’s a possibility that Roy’s role will be diminished, if we’re trying to play faster and trying to play smaller.” The Pacers then just gave Hibbert away for a second-rounder after the season. The trade made sense. Hibbert’s offense had … [Read more...] about Quick Thoughts

1.  Brooks Booted:  Putting aside the merits of the decision, Scott Brooks’ firing is most relevant to the Thunder for what it likely reveals.  First, Kevin Durant will be a free agent after next season and there is no way the Thunder would have fired him without Durant’s blessing.  It also reveals that Durant may not be totally happy with the Thunder and adding a new coach would be an attempt to placate/keep KD. It is impossible to say exactly how likely it is that Durant will leave the … [Read more...] about Quick Thoughts