I think this is good enough to win the West this year. Could they win the league like that? No way. Bucks and Boston are >>> the league, but the west is wide open. Ultimately I agree with you though.
Of course, no way they get that back, but they can get most of it back. However, if they're going to run with Edwards and Gobert + another star player and good role players that they already have, they don't need the picks. That's a 5 year playoff window for them. I really rate Edwards. I am not sure how long you have been watching ball for, but he reminds me a lot of Vince Carter at the Raptors.
ANT is very good. He's better when KAT isn't there.. But I think VC was a few levels above ANT. If Vince played now, he'd average 32 or more, especially with how wide open the paint is now.
I think Denver and Memphis are a fair but better than most teams in the West aside from the Warriors if they can go on a playoff run. No one can handle Jokic in a 7 game series, especially not the Mavs.. Plus the Mavs have no depth which you need in the playoffs. Whereas teams like the Grizzlies are very deep.
I think he's on the same level offensively, and is a better defender. But I get VC vibes from him.
Denver are a great regular season team.
But tell me who Dallas have on their bench that provides anything? They have 3 good players that don't play D and no one else. Even their other two starters right now are trash. That's not a recipe for winning 4 straight playoff series. Boston swept the Nets last season when they had Kyrie and KD which proves you need more than two alpha scorers who don't play D in the playoffs.
Carter averaged nearly 30 when teams were scoring low 80s and mid 90s and every team had a PF and C that protected the paint. If Carter played now, he'd average 32. Same with TMac.. Same with heaps of players from that era.
You are looking at it wrong. Who cares who is on their bench? The team had been constructed to give Luka iso ball and it was working to an extent - now they add Kyrie without losing the principles of the construction of your team, it makes them better because Kyrie is one of the best Iso players in the league.
I am not talking about averages, or points. I'm talking the way they play. That is all. No need for an over analysis. Also, time to move on from 'if x played today'. Showing your age now!
Boston didn't just win because of Tatum and Brown. They won because they were a better team overall. Grant Williams, Smart, Horford and White etc were huge. You need other guys to step up.. You also need defence in the playoffs. Kyrie isn't guarding anyone. Luka isn't guarding anyone. If they play a team like Memphis or Denver, I can't see them winning that series. But we'll see what happens in the playoffs.
You compared players in different generations, so you started this conversation.. Are you saying it isn't easier to score now when teams average 120ppg as opposed to 20 years ago when teams averaged 95-100ppg? So it stands to reason that every great wing scorer from that era who had skills that would translate to today's NBA would get a boost in their scoring average with increased pace, scoring and spacing.
They were a better team overall, but they would not have won without Tatum and Brown playing like a superstar duo.
Mate, all I am saying is the way Ant plays is similar and he reminds me a lot of VC and in my opinion is better in many areas compared to him at the same age. Why are you so pressed and emotional? Relax. It's just a game. If I knew you were going to react like this, I would have just not posted anything at all.
Haha. I'm not getting worked up.. I replied politely your comparison which you quoted me on. Then you say I'm showing my age. If anything you're showing your age and immaturity with your comments.. I won't bother anymore..
Who the hell thinks the Mavs are going to the Finals? I'm a Kyrie fan but no chance they make the WC Finals let alone the NBA Finals.
I think they can make the WC finals. If healthy, with Luka and Kyrie, they can definitely make it back.
Maybe if they had a whole season together to get to know each others games & Kyrie was totally focused but it's too late in the season now.
