Teams are no longer taking the regular season seriously, except the Warriors

[jstern]

They are still the best team in the NBA, and one of the greatest of all time. But their wins might be inflated. Thanks to Popovich, we've entered an era where teams are focused on resting for the playoffs.

The Warriors are still the best team in the NBA, but their playoff record might end up not being as good as the 96 Bulls. And if the opposing teams start to put pressure on the refs to start calling illegal screens, we could even see the Spurs eliminating them.

[fourkicks44]

They are still the best team in the NBA, and one of the greatest of all time. But their wins might be inflated. Thanks to Popovich, we've entered an era where teams are focused on resting for the playoffs.

The Warriors are still the best team in the NBA, but their playoff record might end up not being as good as the 96 Bulls. And if the opposing teams start to put pressure on the refs to start calling illegal screens, we could even see the Spurs eliminating them.

It even takes the shine off the season wins record if the Warriors break it. Pop will most likely rest players when they play at Oracle. Wins do not really mean as much if teams are not doing their best to win.

In 96 every team was going hard out to beat the Bulls. The teams that couldn't make the playoffs played against the Bulls like it was their Finals.

[Genaro]

Even if those teams played hard against the Warriors they wouldn't stand much of a chance. They lost only 8 games

[jstern]

It even takes the shine off the season wins record if the Warriors break it. Pop will most likely rest players when they play at Oracle. Wins do not really mean as much if teams are not doing their best to win.

In 96 every team was going hard out to beat the Bulls. The teams that couldn't make the playoffs played against the Bulls like it was their Finals.

Yes, that was a big thing back in the day, and even more recently. I remember Jordan and others talking about how difficult it was to repeat, because being the defending champions every single team would go out hard on you.

I also think perhaps with twitter, and social media, players are more distracted, and focus a lot on that selfies world, and living that NBA image, vs if those things didn't exist. There would be less distraction, and more hyper focus on Basketball.

Reminds me of that Celtics championship game, where the players and fans were getting into fights, and Larry Bird even pushed a fan out of the way who came to celebrate with him. This was before I was born, but it seemed like back then all you had were TVs, a few channels, and nothing in the world but these games matter for the fans. The competitive focused was so strong that Bird just threw that fan out of the way. Just a hyper focused competitive mode.


Even if those teams played hard against the Warriors they wouldn't stand much of a chance. They lost only 8 games

How could I explain this. Playing harder could mean a few maybe 4 or 5 points squeezing out a win. How can I explain this. Everything adds up. Do you ever watch baseball and see a player just beat out a throw? If a baseball player is 5% slower due to age. Perhaps not that noticeable to the naked eye, he's going to get thrown out at 1st base those times when before he would have been safe. That's one less out, one more chances to extend the inning, one more chance to score.

If a team plays harder. That could be two points here versus a turnover, 4 points difference. It could be the difference between two points over there, and a defensive stop. Completely changing the momentum of the game.

[Quickening]

yawn, people will say anything to prop up MJ and the bulls record :lol

[Blue&Orange]

Lebron is taking this part of the regular season very seriously, he is statpadding like crazy against players not giving a crap.

[hold this L]

No amount of tears and whining are changing that this will be GOAT regular season, but keep on trying :lol

[Frenetic]

tbh if the warriors don't do better than 15-2 in the playoffs its all for nothing.

[sd3035]

96 Bulls would be lucky to win 60 in today's league

[miggyme1]

They are still the best team in the NBA, and one of the greatest of all time. But their wins might be inflated. Thanks to Popovich, we've entered an era where teams are focused on resting for the playoffs.

The Warriors are still the best team in the NBA, but their playoff record might end up not being as good as the 96 Bulls. And if the opposing teams start to put pressure on the refs to start calling illegal screens, we could even see the Spurs eliminating them.


thanks to pop??? you do know he has one the oldest teams in the nba if not the oldest. What you want him to do?? run his guys in the mud during the regular season and get bounced in the first round?????


Nba isn't a sprint its a marathon. Every season we see a team or teams start off hot....then they cool the hell off and end up barely making the playoffs or don't make it at all

[PP34Deuce]

Popavich is playing mind games with kerr. He beat them last time and wants to leave that doubt in their minds so he will probably pull all starters.

I see Minnesota having a slight chance. they have young players that could score 25 plus points.

[kurple]

This Nuggets team would never win over the 96 bulls. And force them to OT in another game


Just saying

[Akrazotile]

Damn, OP with that ether

[Da_Realist]

This Nuggets team would never win over the 96 bulls. And force them to OT in another game


Just saying

This year's Nuggets couldn't beat the 96 Nuggets

[Gileraracer]

96 Bulls would be lucky to win 60 in today's league

:roll: :roll:

[90sgoat]

What I notice the most is that teams no longer gameplan for their opponent in the regular season. There are zero adjustments. That's why a lot of teams get blown out by GSW while Spurs beat them. You can't match pace with pace against GSW, but opposing teams don't adjust and don't seem to care. It is basically practice games for a lot of teams just looking to implement their system.

That's why we see so many lopsided series in which one team gets a blowout, then next game another gets a blowout, it's because teams haven't gameplanned for their opponents in the regular season so they don't know their opponents.

[DukeDelonte13]

Lebron is taking this part of the regular season very seriously, he is statpadding like crazy against players not giving a crap.


he sat out for rest like two games ago.

[STATUTORY]

he sat out for rest like two games ago.
he only cares about efficiency and per game stats, he sits out games against tough opponents so he can pad harder against soft defenses

[nba_55]

damage control if Warriors beat the record :D

[nba_55]

They are still the best team in the NBA, and one of the greatest of all time. But their wins might be inflated. Thanks to Popovich, we've entered an era where teams are focused on resting for the playoffs.

The Warriors are still the best team in the NBA, but their playoff record might end up not being as good as the 96 Bulls. And if the opposing teams start to put pressure on the refs to start calling illegal screens, we could even see the Spurs eliminating them.

That's not something to be ashamed of, Spurs are also an all-time great team.

[TYCRO]

They are still the best team in the NBA, and one of the greatest of all time. But their wins might be inflated. Thanks to Popovich, we've entered an era where teams are focused on resting for the playoffs.

The Warriors are still the best team in the NBA, but their playoff record might end up not being as good as the 96 Bulls. And if the opposing teams start to put pressure on the refs to start calling illegal screens, we could even see the Spurs eliminating them.
Refs are more lenient in the playoffs, not less.

[DCL]

the absolute worst case scenario is if the warriors get some injuries in the last few games during this record chase and then lose in the playoffs. if that happens, it would be the dumbest coaching decision of the season.

steve kerr probably wants to get this thing over with as soon as possible.

[LoneyROY7]

Translation: I'm an insecure MJ stan.

[RRR3]

Stop bringing up LeBron in every thread you idiots.

[WorldWarriors]

There are 3 teams fighting for the last playoff spot in the West.

Trust me they are still taking this regular season seriously.

[RRR3]

There are 3 teams fighting for the last playoff spot in the West.

Trust me they are still taking this regular season seriously.
LOL I was about to say something like this. Not everything is decided just yet. Bulls and (possibly) Wizards still fighting too.

[kamil]

Stop bringing up LeBron in every thread you idiots.

I agree. LeBron* is a ****ing footnote, the guy's been irrelevant for years.

[Smook A.]

Mavs, Jazz, Rockets, Blazers are too.

[Funktion]

damage control if Warriors beat the record :D

Pretty much. Im sure the Spurs players and fans would love to see them get 73 on their home court.

[TYCRO]

Mavs, Jazz, Rockets, Blazers are too.
And the Warriors have recently gone through those teams. Celtics also played seriously. Honestly, every team takes the Warriors serious. They have a target on their backs, making them have the toughest schedule in the league.

[jstern]

thanks to pop??? you do know he has one the oldest teams in the nba if not the oldest. What you want him to do?? run his guys in the mud during the regular season and get bounced in the first round?????


Nba isn't a sprint its a marathon. Every season we see a team or teams start off hot....then they cool the hell off and end up barely making the playoffs or don't make it at all

I'm not complaining about Popovich. To me he's the GOAT coach. I'm explaining how he's changed the culture of younger teams.

[livinglegend]

This Nuggets team would never win over the 96 bulls. And force them to OT in another game


Just saying

They lost to Raptors who were 18-49.

Just saying

[livinglegend]

I'm not complaining about Popovich. To me he's the GOAT coach. I'm explaining how he's changed the culture of younger teams.

Warriors also rest a lot.
Curry and Thompson play 34 and 33 minutes as opposed to Jordan and Pippen's 38 and 37 minutes.
Stop making excuses for warriors beating bulls record.

[jstern]

Warriors also rest a lot.
Curry and Thompson play 34 and 33 minutes as opposed to Jordan and Pippen's 38 and 37 minutes.
Stop making excuses for warriors beating bulls record.

I have to go to work. But that's because they sit out so many 4th quarters. If other teams were giving their all then that wouldn't be the case.

[livinglegend]

I have to go to work. But that's because they sit out so many 4th quarters. If other teams were giving their all then that wouldn't be the case.

Nice try lying.
I'm pretty sure Jordan also sit 4th quarters because of blowouts.
And Curry still plays less than 38 minutes in the majority of the close games.
He has 7 games the whole year over 38 minutes.

[hold this L]

I have to go to work. But that's because they sit out so many 4th quarters. If other teams were giving their all then that wouldn't be the case.
https://media4.giphy.com/media/q9zfxWF89uRdC/200.gif

[Crimsonrain777]

this is a joke, right? :oldlol:


every other team in the league went hard at the Warriors this year. i'm not even that big of a fan but i atleast acknowledge that they got everyones best shot this year.

stop hating ninjas:lol

[chazzy]

Damage. Control. Lmao this dude said this generation is distracted by social media so they don't play as hard. "Get off my lawn" ass

[jayfan]

Lebron is taking this part of the regular season very seriously, he is statpadding like crazy against players not giving a crap.

:lol

[OnFire]

Just old players and old fans crying about the good old days, just like old players said 90s was weak.

[tmacattack33]

They are still the best team in the NBA, and one of the greatest of all time. But their wins might be inflated. Thanks to Popovich, we've entered an era where teams are focused on resting for the playoffs.

The Warriors are still the best team in the NBA, but their playoff record might end up not being as good as the 96 Bulls. And if the opposing teams start to put pressure on the refs to start calling illegal screens, we could even see the Spurs eliminating them.

You can thank whoever came up with an 82 game schedule for basketball.

Baseball and hockey need a lot of games because those sports are volatile. Teams can get lucky and win games easily in baseball and hockey. A terrible team beating a great team in those sports is not such a big deal. One lucky bounce of the puck or the baseball can lead to a goal or a run and can totally change the outcome of the game as one team takes the lead 3-2 or whatever.

In basketball however, with each team scoring around 100 points per game, the better team will usually win. If a bad team gets a lucky bounce, good for them...they will still probably be down by 15 points to a great team.



Therefore, in basketball, you would only really need like 30 games to separate the good teams from the bad teams and get on with the playoffs.


It is a reason why I am such a huge fan of the game of basketball, but I care way more about NHL and MLB regular season.

[zbott]

thanks to pop??? you do know he has one the oldest teams in the nba if not the oldest. What you want him to do?? run his guys in the mud during the regular season and get bounced in the first round?????


Nba isn't a sprint its a marathon. Every season we see a team or teams start off hot....then they cool the hell off and end up barely making the playoffs or don't make it at all

This ^^ ..... Pop figured out a long time ago that there aint no trophy for winning the regular season ...

[TYCRO]

So are the Wolves not trying tonight? :confusedshrug:

[jstern]

Warriors also rest a lot.
Curry and Thompson play 34 and 33 minutes as opposed to Jordan and Pippen's 38 and 37 minutes.
Stop making excuses for warriors beating bulls record.
I'm looking at his minutes played, it doesn't look like he sat out many 4th quarters, I'm seeing a bunch of 40+ minute games.

Just woke up, and I'm seeing that Minnesota is beating the Warriors. Seems like they are trying really hard to beat them, with Curry playing over 40 minutes. Imagine if every team was as motivated to beat them as the Timberwolves.

[fourkicks44]

I'm looking at his minutes played, it doesn't look like he sat out many 4th quarters, I'm seeing a bunch of 40+ minute games.

Just woke up, and I'm seeing that Minnesota is beating the Warriors. Seems like they are trying really hard to beat them, with Curry playing over 40 minutes. Imagine if every team was as motivated to beat them as the Timberwolves.

I think they must of read your post yesterday, jstern and channeled some of the 96 Raptors tonight :oldlol:

[jstern]

So are the Wolves not trying tonight? :confusedshrug:

Perhaps what fourkicks44 said happened.


I think they must of read your post yesterday, jstern and channeled some of the 96 Raptors tonight :oldlol:

That would be so funny if true.

I just think Minnesota just didn't want to be number 70, and played hard.