TANKWATCH 2020

[lethalweapon3]

HAWKS TRAGIC NUMBER: 38! (Herrrrrrre’s Mikki!)

 

TANKTHREATS:

Cleveland Cavaliers (2.5 games behind) – All respect due to Kevin Love for acknowledging his mental health and wellness issues. But “Royce White with Frequent Flyer Miles” is not the way to go out, especially for a guy who is thissssssssss close to locking down a while-he’s-alive Hall of Fame induction. Love’s on-floor production isn’t all that different than when he was first summoned to The Land, and his shooting is way better than it was last season. But Larry Nance and Kevin Porter are out for a couple weeks with lower-leg issues, John Beilein seems like he’s prepping players to beat Northwestern, and Collin Sexton is dribbling the ball beyond recognition. Those should be the reasons for the recent surge up the Tank Standings, not some ring-bearing, contract-committed veteran bummering the team down.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28440805/cavaliers-kevin-love-regrets-recent-childish-outbursts-games

 

Detroit Pistons (5.0 games behind) – It’s a poorly constructed roster full of veterans, sure, but it was that last year, too, and Dwane Casey still willed them to 41-41. The big difference: 2019 renaissance All-Star Blake Griffin is shooting 35.2 percent from the floor, and his creaky knee is failing him. He may have surgery and shut it down for the season. Further, Reggie Jackson has never really had a timetable to come back after departing in Game #2. Keef Morris has a bad foot. Even Luke Kennard’s got bum knees. Andre Drummond and Langston Galloway are the lone valuable players, and that’s just as trade commodities. Casey has had to resort to prematurely un-stashing Sekou Doumbouya from the G-League to salvage things. Last guy here, turn out the light! I’m referring to the team, not the lovely Motor City.

https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2020/01/pistons-sekou-doumbouya-capitalizing-on-opportunity.html

 

Sacramento Kings (6.0 games behind) – Is Vlade Divac aware he’s under no obligation whatsoever to help the Lakers? Sactown’s situation is a dumpster fire of his own making, begun by dumping coach Dave Joerger after a near-.500 record in an upbeat and obvious rebuilding campaign. But it seems like half this roster has already either asked for an out or groveled openly about their roles under – wouldn’t you know it – ex-Laker player, ex-Laker coach Luke Walton. Players either don’t wanna be here, can’t stand it here, or won’t play so long as Coach Luke’s here. 29^th in pace this season, 5^th last year under Joerger. Now the Lake Show is calling the shots on a rumored Bogdan-for-Kuzma deal-or-no-deal? There’s a reason they keep calling you, Vlade. Matter of fact… didn’t you bring those guys Kobe, too?

https://aroyalpain.com/2019/12/24/sacramento-kings-blame-vlade/

 

Phoenix Suns (6.5 games behind) – He is literally called The Tank. Frank Kaminsky’s sixth in minutes and the Suns’ leading big in floor time, because what else were you gonna do once Deandre Ayton got suspended? He’s out for at least a month now due to a stress fracture in a knee. Ayton’s figuring out the 4-spot, Ricky Rubio’s working through a hip issue, and Dario Saric is not-so-quietly falling out of Monty Williams’ lineups altogether after starting all season. Coincidental with the Suns’ 3-10 slide, aside from atrocious defense, Wet Like I’m Book has been keeping his powder dry. Devin Booker’s 16.2 3FG% in that stretch has the star shooting guard sinking less than two threes per game on the season. The Suns still need Booker to put up 30 regardless, because what else are you gonna do? Save us, Kelly Oubre!

https://arizonasports.com/story/2214352/devin-booker-suns-records-most-30-point-games-in-a-row/

 

TANKBUSTERS!

San Antonio Spurs (8.0 games behind) – Shhhh, don’t look now, but LaMarcus Aldridge is finally shooting threes. And that’s only the second-biggest development for a San Antonio team that’s on the cusp of making it 23 straight playoff seasons. Gregg Popovich seems no longer at war with his young guards, specifically Dejounte Murray and Lonnie White. The détente with Dejounte paid dividends last night as he and everyone in black and silver buried the Bucks in an avalanche of threes in a 22-point win. If they can continue surviving the league’s toughest January schedule without collapsing, watch out! The next feat: having DeMar DeRozan feel good enough about himself that he doesn’t even think about forgoing free agency, faxing in his $28 million option and clogging the Spurs’ summertime cap space.

https://www.poundingtherock.com/2020/1/7/21054790/the-spurs-have-turned-their-offense-on-its-head

 

New Orleans Pelicans (4.0 games behind) – Zion Williamson isn’t coming through that door! Or, maybe he is. Either way, the Pelicans have quit worrying about when they’ll have to accommodate Zion in his rookie debut, and it might be salvaging Alvin Gentry’s job. A 13-game losing skid has turned into a 6-3 run. Having Derrick Favors back has stabilized the front line. That has allowed the Pels’ guard-heavy offense to thrive. Brandon Ingram was Player of the Week, and Lonzo Ball is hitting threes while enjoying his best stretch as a pro. Jrue Holiday and Josh Hart have steadied their roles, with J.J. Redick batting cleanup. A club re-built by David Griffin to be a good team centered around Zion is presenting themselves as capable of being a good team without him. Look ahead, Pels, not over your shoulders!

(LonzoWire is somehow still a thing)

https://lonzowire.usatoday.com/2020/01/06/lonzo-ball-brandon-ingram-new-orleans-pelicans-la-lakers-playoffs/

 

New York Knicks (2.5 games behind) – OMG, did MSG do something right? I’m not entirely sure David Fizdale wouldn’t have had New York winning at a .500 clip over the past 12 games. But it seems like opponents are distracted trying to figure out how Mike Miller fell off so hard since his shoe fell off in The Finals (he’s an assistant for Penny at UMemphis). How good has This Coach Miller been? A Morris Twin has played his way into wanting to stay with a bad team. Marcus is eating, and the Knicks only need to eat his expiring salary. Not running this team from the jump means not being burdened with working the young headaches on the roster, like Dennis Smith, Jr. and Kevin Knox, into heavy rotation. If indeed Miller Time extends into next season, maturing this club into serious contention is a 2020-21 problem.

https://nypost.com/2020/01/06/the-knicks-marcus-morris-trade-predicament-is-extra-painful/

 

~lw3

[Spud2nique]

Niiiice! Love the breakdown gotta come back at lunch and read it carefully.  

[Spud2nique]

5 hours ago, lethalweapon3 said:

The détente with Dejounte

Wow.. pretty awesome your a walking wordsmith!  

 

Knicks are the only ones I’m weary of because I see them automatically tanking like the Suns kinda used to the routine for them it seems. 
 

[lethalweapon3]

HAWKS TRAGIC NUMBER: 33! (There’s our future Skyhawks assistant coach!)

 

TANKTHREATS:

Golden State Warriors (0.5 games behind) – Travis Schlenk just can’t seem to shake his old club. Amid G-State’s current eight-game slide, Steve Kerr gets ejected and hits the showers early. D’Angelo Russell, missing six of those eight losses, is just getting his, while Draymond Green (37.8 FG%, no more than 4 field FGs in any game since Xmas) is just going through the motions. “The aura in that locker room right now wasn’t the greatest,” noted ray of sunshine Omari Spellman to NBC Sports Bay Area, after their latest loss. Much was made in recent days of the new starter’s renaissance, offering more salacious detail of his rookie stint in The A. “…the southern metropolis took his spirit and a chunk of his cash. Lonely, he paid for experiences to keep friends around.” Wait… is this the plot for Deliverance 2?

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/warriors-big-man-omari-spellman-has-newfound-belief-playing-free

 

Charlotte Hornets (6.0 games behind) – Hang in there, Marvin Williams, it won’t be long before you find yourself on a playoff contender. Thankfully for the Hawks, it’s looking less likely that contender will be the 9-seeded Bugs, floating like most of the Lottery East away from the Brooklyn shore (5.0 games behind the Nets). Williams has settled into a full-time bench role, but a broken beak and the need for James Borrego to proceed with yung’uns PJ Washington (3-11 team slide began with his mid-December finger injury) and Miles Bridges have sapped away at his utility in the Queen City. On a roster bloated with contracts for Nicolas Batum, Bismack Biyombo, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marvin’s is the easiest expiring deal to move before the deadline. Don’t duck your obligation, Mitch Kupchak. Time’s a’wastin!

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/hornets-marvin-williams-out-of-rotation-sunday/

 

Portland Trail Blazers (8.0 games behind) – Double-checked the bball-ref stats and, yep, Kent’s still Bazemoring! His 36.2 2FG% still trails the entire NBA pack (minimum 900 minutes played), with Charlotte’s Devonte Graham and Our Man Cam ahead of him. Yes, this includes that OT phase against the Hawks. According to Forbes (FORBES!), Baze has missed more than half his bunnies within 3 feet of the rim. At least pretend to be shocked, y’all. More turnovers than assists, and way more cheap fouls than steals, at this juncture isn’t helping Terry Stotts’ cause, either. Things could be worse, I suppose, as the Blazers (2-8 stretch, Baze shooting 29.7% overall, 0.7 APG) could still be stuck with this season’s Evan Turner. But imagine if we somehow kept Kent around for a Baze Phase to mentor Reddish… yikes!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/miketokito/2020/01/12/trail-blazers-kent-bazemore-has-had-a-titanic-offensive-struggle/#40bd02c63650

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.fcgi?id=Oxf3d

https://www.blazersedge.com/2020/1/13/21063673/trail-blazers-kent-bazemore-struggles-evan-turner-hawks

 

 

TANKBUSTERS!

Memphis Grizzlies (10.0 games behind) – Sometimes I wish Trae Young could just soar through traffic and yam one on people’s noggins. But that’s an unfair comparison with Ja Morant. Pulling away in the Rookie of the Year race, Morant’s benefitting mostly from a Bud disciple in Taylor Jenkins who seems to be getting his bearings (12-6 after a 6-16 start), and a legit young backup in Tyus Jones. Less prone to fouling out, Jaren Jackson’s scoring more consistently (53.8 3FG% in last six games, incl. 5 straight wins), as Morant’s drives and Jonas Valanciunas’ bullyball leaves him room to roam the perimeter. With depth, Jenkins can afford to give a big named Bruno and a slow-reacting forward light duties. Memphis came up just short of winning Zion in the Lottery. But on Beale Street these days, nobody’s singing the blues.

https://www.si.com/nba/grizzlies/news/taylor-jenkins-is-a-rookie-too

 

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

TANKWATCH GAME OF THE NIGHT: Wizards at Bulls (8 PM Eastern)

https://www.blogabull.com/2020/1/15/21067888/bulls-vs-wizards-game-preview-lineups-injury-report

Quote

The Bulls and Wizards are sadly more even than anticipated based on available talent. Stylistically, they are polar opposites. The Wiz have a top-10 offense that’s falling by the wayside lately (like the Bulls and their defensive ‘system’), and sport the very worst defense in basketball. The classic matchup of moveable object versus resistible force.

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

HAWKS TRAGIC NUMBER: 31! (We love drafting college champs!)

 

TANKWATCH LEAGUE PASS GAMES OF THE NIGHT: Kings at Pistons (7 PM Eastern) and Timberwolves at Bulls (8 PM Eastern). Dewayne Dedmon, Derrick Rose, Robert Covington, Thaddeus Young... Who will buy? Also, the debut tonight that everyone has been waiting for... KING BAZE! (and Tolly, too.)

 

~lw3

[Spud2nique]

JT with the high socks love it I may cruise over to Sac and catch Baze play a home game at Golden ☝ maybe if I’m lucky he’ll throw me a gaze. I miss that dude’s vibe. Hope he does well there I can see the Kings fans liking him.

[Thomas]

Both new Kings players Kent Bazemore and Anthony Tolliver will be available to play tonight in Detroit.

So Baze did get a few minutes in a loss for the Kings. Wonder if his head is on right at this stop. Tongue in cheek there....

[macdaddy]

6 minutes ago, Thomas said:

Both new Kings players Kent Bazemore and Anthony Tolliver will be available to play tonight in Detroit.

So Baze did get a few minutes in a loss for the Kings. Wonder if his head is right at this stop. Tongue in cheek there....

They don't want to buy those guys out?  Baze should be in Houston.

[Spud2nique]

40 minutes ago, macdaddy said:

They don't want to buy those guys out?  Baze should be in Houston.

Ya I agree with the Baze Rockets fit. That’s a good one for both parties.

[Thomas]

22 hours ago, Spud2nique said:

Ya I agree with the Baze Rockets fit. That’s a good one for both parties.

Would have saved us a whole lot of money if we had let the Rockets sign Baze in the first place. Our bad.

[lethalweapon3]

TANKBUSTERS!

New Orleans Pelicans (6.0 games behind) – Three years into #1 pick Anthony Davis’ tenure, N’Awlins was tasked with a simple aim: reach the playoffs. They got there as an 8-seed, earned two home dates with the red-hot Warriors, and the coach got booted anyway. Five years later, the replacement coach, Alvin Gentry, has a about a half-season of #1 pick Zion Williamson to work with and a goal, if possible, that seems to good to be true. Make the playoffs, as an 8-seed, and you’ll earn two dates at Smoothie King with the top-seeded Lakers and AD plus LeBron in the house. The Medical People, do your thing!

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/01/pelicans-zion-williamson-alvin-gentry-right-benching

 

San Antonio Spurs (10.0 games behind) – Er, yeah, Gregg Popovich and company would appreciate having those two losses to the Hawks back, if you all don’t mind. San An has bounced back with three straight victories, fending off furious rallies from the likes of Devin Booker and Zion along the way. But even with the latest surge ahead of their 8-seed rivals, and Bryn Forbes (seven 1^st-half threes vs. PHX) playing with a fire lit under him, it still feels like there’s something missing. Somebody, to be exact. Someone like… hey, DeMarre, if you’ve been abducted against your will, blink twice.

https://www.poundingtherock.com/2020/1/19/21064007/demarre-carroll-san-antonio-spurs

 

 

TANKTHREATS:

Charlotte Hornets (4.0 games behind) – Nicolas in Paris! Even if you set aside Batum and the other obvious trade and buyout veteran targets on the Bugs' windshield for the coming month, even with the heightened urgency to somehow stop the current seven-game slide against Giannis and the Bucks tomorrow in France, there is still too much detritus along the depth chart that coach James Borrego Just. Can. Not. Play. Willy Hernangomez, you’re Exhibit A. Then, there’s the gimmicky Martin Twins. At least until this past Monday, Malik Monk hasn’t had a Fun Day. And who smashed opening-day starter Dwayne’s playing time into Bacon bits?

https://www.atthehive.com/2020/1/16/21067032/charlotte-hornets-the-mystery-that-is-willy-hernangomez

 

Minnesota Timberwolves (4.5 games behind) – Remember that month when it looked like maybe Andrew Wiggins was finally breaking out for good? Yeah, that was fun times. Save them, Allen Crabbe!

http://www.startribune.com/ryan-saunders-rips-into-andrew-wiggins-timberwolves-after-team-loses-seventh-game-in-row/567219622/

 

 

TANKS A LOT, PALS:

Brooklyn Nets (8.5 games behind) – GTFO this thread, Brooklyn. Git! Shoo!

https://nypost.com/2020/01/20/why-nets-cautiously-scratched-kyrie-irving-there-were-some-issues/

 

 

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

HAWKS TRAGIC NUMBER: 29!

TANKWATCH GAME OF THE NIGHT: Cavaliers at Pistons (7 PM Eastern)

https://www.fearthesword.com/2020/1/27/21081965/cleveland-cavaliers-jan-20-jan-26-what-we-learned

Quote

 

Darius Garland has hit the rookie wall.

Garland is in a bit of a rough stretch. His recent field goal numbers look more like concert dates on the back of a t-shirt than they do shooting numbers. Garland has gone 5-16, 4-12, 6-14, 4-20, 4-17 and 4-17 from the field in his last six games.

While this recent drop off is discouraging, it isn’t the end of the world. Garland has shown consistent improvement until this recent tough stretch. Adjusting to the NBA schedule is tough for all rookies, especially someone like Garland who hasn’t physically matured and played only five college games last season.

...

Collin Sexton continues his impressive scoring, but other issues remain.

...Since the start of the new year, Sexton is averaging 22.5 points with a 57.1 true shooting percentage.

The frustrating part about Sexton is still the way he gets his points... there’s still a fundamental flaw in his game that could prevent him from continuing his progression.

The best scoring undersized guards all have one thing in common, they know how to change speeds well while attacking the basket. Guys like Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, and Steph Curry, have learned how to change speeds when driving inside. It’s part of the reason why they are the elite of the elite. This allows them to recognize the help and either adjust their shot to draw contact or find the open man because of that.

Sexton, on the other hand, only plays at one speed. His goal when attacking off the dribble is to get to the rim at all costs. If he gets by his primary defender, he will continue to the basket at breakneck speed...

...Simply put, the game hasn’t slowed down for Sexton. He still feels like the only way to be effective is to do it with pure downhill speed.

Sexton has the skills and athleticism to be a premier scorer in this league. Until he learns how to best use those skills and athleticism, we will most likely see inconsistent overall play from him.

 

 

https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2020/1/25/21081952/detroit-pistons-cleveland-cavs-a-huge-game-for-the-tanking-and-playoff-crowds-alike

Quote

 

The Detroit Pistons allegedly have all their veterans on the trade block and yet are roughly only 3.5 games out of the playoffs. the young guys are playing, but the veterans are playing even more. Are the Pistons rebuilding or are they competing?

Well, even if they’re competing, they seem to be losing well enough on their own anyway. And despite a recent competitive spurt, the schedule is going to get much more difficult in the second half of the season.

That’s why this Cleveland Cavaliers game is huge no matter which side of the Pistons fandom civil war you side with. For the faction that wants the Pistons to tank, this is the exact type of game you have to lose. It’s an extremely “winnable” game against someone you’re competing with for lottery balls...

Detroit’s defense is, somehow, near the top 10 in the past 10 games, and their offense has been up and down. When it is on, it’s incredibly deadly. When it’s off, it’s unwatchable.

 

 

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

HAWKS TRAGIC NUMBER: 23! (Must cop those warmups!)

 

TANKTHREATS:

Cleveland Cavaliers (1.0 game ahead) – Is that Mount Suckmore? Owner Dan Gilbert is already known for dumping GMs and new coaches like gum on his shoes, even with teams nowhere near as thuggish, oops, sluggish, as this crew. They almost got blown out at home against the Warriors before “only” coming up short by 19. Then they fell to the Knicks to get swept in their four-game homestand. Eleven straight home losses. The last home game before the All-Star Break? The Hawks. Who will be left standing on the other side of the Break? Is Dan’s kid old enough to take over now? What’s there to like?

https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/news/cavs-warriors-dribbles-amico-nba

 

Detroit Pistons (4.5 games behind) – Cleveland’s only win in their past 13 games? In Gilbert’s hometown of Detroit, by 15. We still have some hours to go before the fire sale that is almost certain to befall the Motor City, as the Pistons dropped six of their past seven before dispatching wannabe All-Star Devin Booker and the Suns last night. If that was it, you had a fine run in Detroit, Andre Drummond. That was it, right, Ed Stefanski? Right?

https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2020/2/5/21124923/nba-trade-rumors-andre-drummond-detroit-pistons

 

Brooklyn Nets (10.0 games behind) – Might as well stick around TANKWATCH now! We usually could use some nets to catch us when we’re falling. But who’s gonna catch the Nets? Especially now that they’ll likely be without Kyrie through the All-Star Break. Thankfully for Kenny Atkinson, Brooklyn, unlike Cleveland, blasted D’Angelo Russell’s (for now) Warriors yesterday at home. Also, burrowing in the borough requires somebody in the Lottery East playing like a .500 team the rest of the way. Forget the actual All-Star Game, now players are miffed when they don’t get re-invited to the Skills Challenge.

https://nypost.com/2020/02/01/nets-spencer-dinwiddie-goes-off-on-skills-challenge-snub-s-t-is-pretty-crazy/

 

TANKBUSTERS(?)!

Washington Wizards (4.5 games behind) – Somebody’s gotta be the team that messes up the Netspick for Minnesota, and it might as well be Bradley Beal’s Wizards. But, Brad, you might wanna beat the Warriors in your own building before you rattle on about being disrespected. Washington hasn’t beaten an above-.500 team in a month. With Rui Hachimura and Moe Wagner back, does the turnaround begin this weekend, against the Mavs and Grizzlies? Beal already knows John Wall won’t be around to help him make good on his promised playoff run. Will Davis Bertans? Bring back Nene!

https://www.bulletsforever.com/2020/2/6/21126026/washington-wizards-bradley-beal-espn-sportscenter-interview

 

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

TANKWATCH GAME OF THE NIGHT: Magic at Knicks (7:30 PM Eastern). New York finally put their feline tendencies on the shelf, the end of catty postgame remarks coinciding with a possible season-best 3-game winning streak. But if Orlando (how'd they get a National TV game yesterday?), losers of eight in their last ten, comes off the loss in Boston and whoops up on the Knicks... AND if nothing changes significantly on the roster between now and 3 PM today? Me-ow! Dolan might be tempted to make MSG games PPV for awhile.

https://news.yahoo.com/knicks-bring-rare-winning-streak-080101710.html

https://nypost.com/2020/02/02/knicks-dennis-smith-jr-drawing-interest-ahead-of-nba-trade-deadline/

 

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

HAWKS TRAGIC NUMBER: 18! (I can smoke for Miles and Miles and Miles and…!)

Where is he now? https://www.espn.com/nbl/story/_/id/28559785/new-wildcat-plumlee-shines-nbl-thriller

 

TANKWATCH GAME OF THE NIGHT: Hornets at Bulls (8 PM Eastern). First fan in the United Center, turn on a light! All-Star Weekend blew right through the Windy City, yet it’s Charlotte's young pups, Devonte’ Graham and Rising Stars MVP Miles Bridges, who are on the up-and-up, while Lauri Markkanen and now Kris Dunn are on the shelf. Speaking of Chicago's returns for still-All-Star Jimmy Butler... If you don’t want your losing skid extending to 18, you might want to win tonight, Zach LaVine (give Ya Boi a call, Common). The Bugs are seeking a third-straight road win after dusting off the remains of the Timberwolves and Pistons, keeping James Borrego off the hot seat. Say, since all these other JB-initialed coaches are on the carousel these days, when is it Jim Boylen’s turn to hop on? Gar? Pax?

https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20200207/will-the-bulls-make-big-front-office-changes-heres-how-it-might-look-if-it-happens

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/2/19/21143809/chicago-bulls-sideshow-all-star-weekend-fire-garpax

https://pippenainteasy.com/2020/02/18/chicago-bulls-jim-boylen-should-be-next-to-go-after-cavs-john-beilein/

https://hoopshabit.com/2020/02/02/charlotte-hornets-unexpected-rise-devonte-graham/

 

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

HAWKS TRAGIC NUMBER: 14! (Les is More!)

 

TANKWATCH GAME OF THE NIGHT: Chicago at New York (5 PM Eastern) – Jordan and Ewing are NOT coming through those doors! Remember when the Dookie Diaper Dandy to be worried about was Cam Reddish? Great times, those were. And now here comes the newest Tar Heel-turned-Bull. If you're a Duke fan from New York, or a Knick fan from Durham, this hasn't been your month.

https://www.blogabull.com/2020/2/28/21155560/chicago-bulls-coby-white-will-someday-not-only-score-a-lot-hell-be-efficient-doing-it

https://balldurham.com/2020/02/28/duke-basketball-right-hand-rj-barrett/

Quote

 

Now, transitioning to Barrett's stats with the Knicks, the 19-year-old Rising Star is averaging a promising 13.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.9 steals. On the other hand, he is shooting a dreary 30.7 percent from beyond the arc, 38.9 percent from the field, and 60.4 percent from the foul line. As harsh as it is to say, it seems hard to believe his right hand could be any less accurate than that, especially when it comes to freebies.

Oops, I almost forgot to mention that New York, at 17-42 and in the midst of a six-game losing streak, is now only half a game above the last-place Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, Barrett's grace period as a newbie is beginning to wear off in the eyes of his new impatient fanbase (a disgruntled bunch, to say the least, due to a slew of laughable front-office decisions that have led to the Knicks missing the playoffs almost 75 percent of the time this millennium).

 

 

~lw3

[Thomas]

16 hours ago, lethalweapon3 said:

HAWKS TRAGIC NUMBER: 14! (Les is More!)

Think @Spud2nique might be familiar with the Jim Les name. He won some Coach of the Year award out there on the West Coast recently.

[Spud2nique]

1 hour ago, Thomas said:

Think @Spud2nique might be familiar with the Jim Les name. He won some Coach of the Year award out there on the West Coast recently.

I’m familiar with Jim Les the player. Believe he played for the Kings in the early 90’s with the young Kings crew Causwell, the L train Travis Mays and company. 
 

Didn’t know he coached though. As a player, he reminded me a bit of Steve Alford. Alford played for Nelly and the Dubs and Les with Sac. Les was a passer first though if I can recall, Alford came off Manute screens looking to fire  

[Thomas]

Coached at Bradley for a while and did pretty well I thought but got canned and ended up out on your coast somewhere.