Official Detroit Pistons thread

[chemiclord]

LeBron didn't change the game. He is just most freakish athlete in a league full of freakish athletes.

Steph Curry changed the game.

I guess you could argue he "changed the game" in the sense that half the league started tanking trying to get that guy who could dominate like Lebron could.

[froot loops]

Who changed the game, who is the GOAT, who is elite. I'm not saying it's being done here, but too often these arguments end up being more the person doing the arguing. It's all interesting to argue for a little bit, but it's far better just to watch the games.

The playoffs have been very good so far. The NBA first round series tend to be perfunctory bores, but this year has had some good series.

[CGVT]

Who changed the game, who is the GOAT, who is elite. I'm not saying it's being done here, but too often these arguments end up being more the person doing the arguing. It's all interesting to argue for a little bit, but it's far better just to watch the games.

The playoffs have been very good so far. The NBA first round series tend to be perfunctory bores, but this year has had some good series.

There were/are some dogs too.

[froot loops]

No doubt but I think the ratio this year for good/bad series is pretty high on the good side relatively speaking.

[Mainevent]

There have been some blowout games, but the series have been compelling. The only real dog of a series was Philly/Nets. Even the Knicks handling the Cavs was fun because of the MSG crowd.

[Futureshock]

Who changed the game, who is the GOAT, who is elite. I'm not saying it's being done here, but too often these arguments end up being more the person doing the arguing. It's all interesting to argue for a little bit, but it's far better just to watch the games.

The playoffs have been very good so far. The NBA first round series tend to be perfunctory bores, but this year has had some good series.

Yeeah. I have enjoyed the games I could catch. I liked Jimmy Buckets before, he is in a zone. I usually wait for the next round to start watching but it has been good watching.

[Mainevent]

He's in the fucking zone!

[jaadam4]

That was such an awesome movie. I can't believe they're remaking it and it's going to suck balls.

[froot loops]

Steph Curry is good

[chemiclord]

The one thing that the Warriors really don't have an answer for is a big man who has the range to keep up with the Warriors' small ball, but the physicality to overwhelm Green.

Davis is exactly that sort of guy, and if he stays dialed in like he was tonight, he could be a very big problem.

[Futureshock]

Steph Curry is good

Why is he never brung up in the G.O.A.T. argument? To me he did change the game. Prolific!!

[jaadam4]

Why is he never brung up in the G.O.A.T. argument? To me he did change the game. Prolific!!

He is in that argument and he def changed the game. I’m not sure he’d have faired so well in the 80’s or early 90’s. The game has changed so much but he’s def one of the best of all time IMO.

Its difficult to trump Jordan though. IMO he made the NBA. Jordan, Gretzky and Brady are all on the Mt Rushmore of their sports. Not sure who it would be for baseball.

[Futureshock]

NBA was around long before Jordan. It was brung back in the 80's with Bird, Magic and Dr. J

He didn't make the NBA. He made it more popular at the time.

But the NBA was floundering until Bird and Magic made it popular again.

[chemiclord]

Why is he never brung up in the G.O.A.T. argument? To me he did change the game. Prolific!!

I'd wager there are a couple reasons depending on who you ask.

1) People who tend to be in the "GOAT" discussion tend to be "larger than life." They clearly and demonstrably do things that defy belief. Whereas a lot of people view what Curry does to be more a result of endless practice and something that really anyone in the NBA could hypothetically do to a similar-ish level if they devoted enough time to the skill. Anyone can shoot a three, you might hear. Not too many people can shred five defenders and then nearly rip the rim off the backboard. Curry doesn't have the "look" that fans want in someone considered the greatest.

2) While the one thing Curry is notable for he does at a prodigious and historic rate... it's not exactly unfair to say that's really the only thing he does better than your "good" NBA player. For example, despite ostensibly being the Warriors point guard, it's arguably Green who is the offense's facilitator, and arguably because he has the better vision and passing ability. Curry's not a particularly good dribbler or penetrator, and is not terribly good at making space for himself (a rather famous example was at the end of the 2016 Finals where Kevin Love of all people was able to largely keep Curry in front of him). His overall shooting % is actually fairly "mid" because if he doesn't have a look at the 3, he gets swallowed up by defenders (his career percentage is roughly around Jalen Brunson level).

While Curry's a willing defender, it's arguable that he's even replacement level, which ironically hurts his perception. For example, James Harden is an atrocious defender, but he also clearly and evidently doesn't give a shit about defense. Curry definitely tries... he's just not very good at it.

Does that qualify for "GOAT" status? I'd say he might as well, it's not like a lot of people in that GOAT discussion were statistical paragons outside of raw scoring totals. Not like Jordan was scaring anyone with his defense, after all, and he had plenty of potentially iconic moments that he failed to finish (just ask any Pistons fan). Hell, I'd wager if Jordan had to deal with the sort of "advanced stats" scrutiny and perpetual "lowlights" that players like James and Curry have had, his relative status at the top of the discussion would probably be even more tenuous. He has the advantage of a rather cultivated persona and a curated list of moments that define him going up against the 24/7 ugliness that modern players have no choice but to accept.

[CGVT]

10:00 pm Eastern is too fucking late.

Goddammit