Steven Adams and Lakers

The rumour linking the Houston Rockets big man, Steven Adams with the Los Angeles Lakers makes a lot of sense. Adams is coming to the end of his deal, and he would fill a hole left by the departing Anthony Davis. Adams is a good rebounder and one of the best NBA rebounders on offense. He comes in handy when setting blocks, he's like a brick wall. 

In a lineup alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic (and other sharpshooters), he'd play a valuable role obtaining possession and making space available. The Lakers need to do the deal.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/lakers_trade_rumors_interest_in_centers_like_steven_adams_robert_williams/s1_17074_41697104

And on the subject of THE trade that became world news, I found this the best description of why it happened:

https://defector.com/no-but-seriously-why-did-the-mavericks-trade-luka-doncic

I'd add, with Miriam Adelson now being in charge at the Mavericks, did she and Jeannie Buss of the Lakers have a conversation to one side about the financing and construction of a new stadium for the Lakers, now that Steve Ballmer has built his new stadium for the Clippers? Did Adelson want to jettison Doncic from the roster, and what are his politics in relation to Israel exactly?

LeBron James Personal Reasons

I wonder what is up with LeBron James? Reports are saying he's in a slump, but in reality his numbers in the NBA are still pretty good. 

There's a lot of speculation doing the rounds as to why he's taking a break for personal reasons. Hmm...

Greatest NBA Player

I don't remember if I've said this before, but in my opinion there can be no doubt; Lebron James is the greatest NBA player. He doesn't have the most titles, so why is that I hear you say. It's because he has such versatility, consistency, intensity, professionalism and he does what he does at a time when the game is at such a high level. Every team is good these days, there are no walk-overs, no expansion franchises to pad the stats with. James is doing it against strong opposition, all the time. His most recent game for the Lakers against the Washington Wizards is a case in point; a double-double in points and assists. Assists, not the usual points and rebounds double-double. He's not selfish, he just does the business.

What I have said before though, he's not my personal favourite, that's a totally subjective assessment and my favourite NBA player is Matt Barnes, now retired. He just looked so balanced when he played. He had a lot of bad luck and it was good to see him win a title in his final year (Golden State Warriors).

NBA: Steven Adams Trade Rumours

OKC have been knocked out of the 2019 playoffs and once again we have Steven Adams being blamed for the losses. People commenting are mostly keyboard warriors who know little or nothing about the game of basketball.

Firstly, let's deal with why OKC were always going to be eliminated. It's because the team is not stacked with talent, that's why. They only have three top players, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Steven Adams. You can't go deep in the NBA playoffs so light handed. Teams that win NBA championships are brimming with shooters and top defenders.

If we look at Westbrook, he's been a flop in the post season without Kevin Durant. But who is worse? The coach. Who in their right mind would bench Steven Adams in the final quarter of game 5 against Portland. He's the starting centre, you go to your best players and trust them when it matters. The coach is toast, likely now looking for a new job. If he isn't then the owner is a fool too.

Many people say that players like Adams can't defend the pull up 3, they can't space the floor etc. They're implying that the days of genuine bigs are over. Oh really, then why do Golden State have Andrew Bogut starting at centre, explain that! There is simply no replacing the big nasty man in the middle doing the hard work. Deal with it.

So assuming OKC will trade Adams, given they're a team of losers and wish to remain that way; my suggestion would be to look at the Lakers. They need an Adams and if a championship beckons they're usually happy to pay the luxury tax that applies to exceeding the salary cap. They'll put a team around LeBron James and Adams could be one of the support cast. Or look to other big market teams that can afford Adams on US$25mil annually.

NBA: 2018 Warriors vs Cavaliers

It's going to be another big showdown; the Warriors against LeBron James - again. LeBron James, the best basketball player to have played the game.

2017 NBA Finals

I'm picking the Cavaliers to take the series 4-2. I like their talent and hunger. The Cavs coasted for part of the season, hence their poorer regular season but they're much better than that. Meanwhile the Warriors only have Kevin Durant as an extra and in the past he's proven to be Mr Absent when it matters. What do you think?

This is how I think the finals will go (famous last words I know):

Game 1 Cavs [Wrong: Warriors 113 - Cavs 91]
Game 2 Warriors [Right]
Game 3 Cavs [Uh oh, Cavs at risk of going out]
Game 4 Cavs [Only the second time I've been right]
Game 5 Warriors [And congrats to the Warriors]



Cavs 4 Warriors 2 [Got this completely wrong]

NBA: LeBron James Hunting Back-to-Back Titles in Cleveland

I noticed Andrew Bogut signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. Cleveland are looking for a big man to rough up the Golden State Warriors on the inside, and what better player to do that than the big Aussie who won a title with the Warriors.

Also note the Cavs added Kyle Korver for his three point accuracy, and Derrick Williams for more thuggery (I mean that politely of course, I admire such things, bring back the biff I say).

It's yet to be seen if this strategy will work. I'm watching carefully, there are aspects to their formula I agree with. What's my formula?

Three things needed to win titles:

1. An intense hatred of losing. Not a joy of winning, or just don't like losing. The type of players needed hate losing so much they throw up after the game. How to find these players is more interesting, I look for players that are an attitude problem. This has only backfired once when one player I recruited needed to be waived as he was going to be killed by his teammates.

2. A heightened sense of personal accountability. Players that do it the right way and if they foul up they put it right - immediately. I call this having a turbo up their arse.

3. Luck. A certain amount of luck, Think Napoleon noting there were two types of general, good generals and lucky generals and of the two he preferred lucky generals. Lucky players have the knack of looking at the ref and getting the call their way.

Game 7 NBA Finals 2016

Wow, the Cavaliers have their first championship, what a tight game. Like I said, the Cavs were the better team on paper, and on the court, they only just squeaked past the Warriors. Three in a row and to win playing away from home - a great effort.