2021-22 NBA season

[TiMSport]

I didn't see another thread for the new season so why not? Hoping my Hawks will have another successful season and go even further! I'm sure the Bucks will be standing in their way once again but we'll see.

It's interesting to see the new rule in place that is being referred to tongue-in-cheek as "the Harden Rule". Lol. For those that aren't aware:

As per SI:
"The NBA made a significant rule change during the offseason that disallowed players from leaning into defenders and relying on non-basketball moves to draw foul calls."

I for one am glad because I was so sick of seeing James Harden getting cheap fouls called multiple times per game and him going to the free throw line way too many times. People speculated this would also affect players like Trae Young and it probably has but he is showing he can adapt and his scoring hasn't changed much as a result. In the meanwhile Harden, the self-professed "poster boy" for the new rule will continue to whine about it.

[F30lolz]

So far in this early season Harden is out of shape and the Miami Heat look dangerous. Tricky situation as Harden may just walk after this season, especially if the Nets get eliminated early in the playoffs. Embiid is soft and the Knicks manhandled him. Everyone says Nets/Lakers but let’s face it; Father Time is catching up to LeBron and his receding hairline will get worse watching Westbrook do Westbrook things. AD is another softy who’ll miss time during the season and the Nets look out of sync.

Miami, Hawks or the Knicks have a shot to claim one of the top 3 spots as those three teams play with a lot of energy w/o drama. Tonight I’ll tune to the Knicks at Bulls as they have gone off to a hot start.

[TiMSport]

Lol. Harden always looks out of shape and something in me tells me that is why he had always played the way that he does. It's a very lazy style of play and the refs USED to call fouls for him. Not any more!

Nets and Lakers? Meh. They're not going anywhere.

We'll see how Miami does. Obviously it's still very early in the season. One injury here and there to key players can completely derail a team's season. I suppose this is one reason I have confidence in the Hawks because they have a deep team loaded with young talent. I'm pleased with what I've seen with Cam Reddish so far. Actually he showed glimpses after he returned from an injury and made some cameo appearances in the playoffs last season. He just looks hungrier and now he's hitting his shots, including 3 pointers. He's a great defender as well. I had always looked forward to seeing him and De'Andre Hunter playing to their capabilities. They're both looking good. Throw in Trae Young and John Collins and that's a potent lineup.

Now that I've said all that they'll probably get their asses handed to them tonight against the Wizards.

[F30lolz]

Bulls announcers are homers to the max.

[TiMSport]

And I was right. Damn Hawks lost tonight.

[540iSUP]

I really don't think the Lakers are going to get it this year. Everyone keeps saying its a chemistry problem, but it looks more like a "no one wants to play defense" problem. As for the Bulls.... DAMN! Those guys are super exciting to watch right now. I also have to give props to the Knicks, hopefully they can make a run.

[F30lolz]

The Clippers are back to being the paperclips and the Mavs are in trouble. They don’t have a complimentary player for Doncic as they have at least 4 recycled Knick players. Speaking of which, remember how everyone said the Mavs won that trade? Porzingis is a 7’3 giraffe with bad knees who has a bad contract and flat out is a shell of himself when he was on the Knicks.

Embiid has been playing hurt and the Nets barely beat a CBA Raptors team. I would not be shocked if the 76’ers don’t make the top 3 in the East. Miami Heat are a dangerous team that you don’t want to face in the playoffs. As for the Knicks, trap game against the Pels just like when they lost to the pathetic Magic last weekend.

GM Lebron made the roster and now he has to deal with it. They look slow and the Heat/Hawks/Knicks/Bulls can all run circles around them.

[Captain Blood]

Looks like my spurs are in a rebuilding year.

About the Mavericks: My second favorite team. One of my younger twins is a huge Luka Doncic fan. Remember, they have a new head coach, we will see how he integrates Porzingis with Luka. They haven't looked that great, but they are 4-2 so far.

[lakefront]

Still think if/ when the Bucks get healthy they are the team to beat in the East. Been playing without (at least) 3 starters almost all year. Lot of good, young teams in the East as the power seems to be shifting from West teams.

[TiMSport]

Agreed. I don't know what to make of my inconsistent Hawks. They've been hot and cold so far. I do also agree the power has shifted to the East.

[TiMSport]

Man watching the Hawks v Nets game on ESPN right now and De'Andre Hunter is looking really sharp. We really missed him in the playoffs last season. Cam Reddish has been really good off the bench so far this season as well and his scoring is up quite a bit. If they can play consistently they're going to be a tough out.

[TiMSport]

I'd like to take a weed whacker to James Harden's ugly ass beard.

Well the Hawks have been really frustrating so far this season. Just too inconsistent and nowhere near where they should be considering they have a healthy roster right now.

[TiMSport]

So besides the Hawks looking kind of crappy this season, I couldn't help but notice the Bucks aren't that great either. If they lose tonight's game which is looking like they will, they'll be under .500.

[lakefront]

Did you notice that Giannis was the only starter that.....started? Holiday returned as a part time player but Middleton has been out last few games and Lopez out most of the season. And Divinchenzo hasnt played since first playoff series last year. Now that Lopez isn't playing you can see they really need another big to protect the rim.

[TiMSport]

No I haven't actually seen any of the Bucks games so far. I just saw the score and their overall record and was surprised. The Hawks have no excuse because they have a healthy roster at the moment so I don't know what the hell is going on with them.

[TiMSport]

It's official. The Atlanta Hawks suck this season.

[thursdaypm]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

It's official. The Atlanta Hawks suck this season.

Still better than my Rockets at least. Exciting young roster and low expectations, but still tough to watch full games.

[TiMSport]

Wow. The Hawks are going to fall to 3 games under .500

[Captain Blood]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Wow. The Hawks are going to fall to 3 games under .500

Isn't it a little early to panic?

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by Captain Blood

Isn't it a little early to panic?

Yeah but it's still frustrating to watch them self-destruct in the second half all the time. We're talking a fully healthy roster right now so they should be gelling. Too sloppy.

[Chicacti]

Bulls might be legit this year, still looked pretty good last night. We'll see what happens on the west coast.

[Captain Blood]

What the fuck are the spurs wearing tonight? No black, no silver? Very wrong.