# NBA Jan 2018 \[edited\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 10, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282 "2018-01-10T01:16:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/1 "2018-01-10T01:16:52Z")
That was a nasty fall Kyle Lowry took yesterday but luckily it looks like just a day-to-day tailbone issue. Surprised LeBron tweeted support, considering the Cavs are three games back of Toronto, but I guess brotherhood trumps all.\* Kinda interesting [flagrant foul](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aM55-lnt4Q)Isaiah Thomas pulled off yesterday. Should I give IT the benefit of the doubt that he was simply trying to knock the ball out of Wiggins’s hands (and miscued like a total spazz), or was that one just one crazy-ass foul? \*huh - a contradiction, of sorts, in those last three words?😛 ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2018, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/2 "2018-01-12T22:50:49Z")
Holy 133-99 Raptors thrashing the Cavs, Batman! Cleveland showing a little vulnerability - not that they ever had the most exemplary defense (almost the worst in the league?), but lately there’s been some chinks in the armour - apparently some of Lebron’s teammates are grumbling about how he doesn’t move the ball fast enough. I don’t think I’ve seen the Raptors bench this strong, and Demar _totally_ coming into his own “from downtown” this season - quite impressive. Ever since that commercial where Powell plays “Knuckles” on the piano, Norm’s game has gone a bit south. Also, there appears to be a shape:eek:shifting controversy going on in Toronto with [Fred Van Vleet](https://www.google.ca/search?q=fred+van+vleet&client=firefox-b&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjrwuyuuNPYAhVM52MKHRVGCWwQ_AUICygC&biw=886&bih=811) and Raptor courtside panjandrum [Drake](https://www.google.ca/search?q=drake&client=firefox-b&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6yeW2uNPYAhVP-mMKHQYNA8oQ_AUICygC&biw=886&bih=811). ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/3 "2018-01-27T02:07:57Z")
To keep this Raptors-centric thread going, it looks like those deadbeats will finish the season at the top of the east, **at least** three games up on Boston. The still completely drama-free Raps (something a number of other teams can’t boast) are an awesome 17-3 at home, so home court advantage in the play-offs would be a splunge thing. Anyone who disagrees with me on this - I will personally paypal bet you $2.50 on this. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/4 "2018-01-27T03:59:04Z")
Portland is on a strong roll, at 27-22. Their defense has improved significantly this year, owing much to a healthy Ed Davis, who is turning in double-doubles (rebounds, points). Rookie Zach Collins is showing some good potential. Aminu is way more consistent with his three point shooting and having fewer turnovers. All-in-all, they’re looking pretty good. Now if they could just get some consistency out of Nurkic. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/5 "2018-01-27T04:55:55Z")
I’m very pleased to see my Pacers’ Victor Oladipo named to the All-Star Game. “THIS IS MY TOWN!” ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/6 "2018-01-27T05:40:54Z")
**Chefguy** : No idea how much of a Blazers fan you are - curious what your thoughts are on their logo. Myself, it might be my most hated logo (well, next to the 90s Mighty Ducks, Patriots, the indescribably perverse and sickening Heat logo, and, well, hate to pick on Boston again - Red Sox). Yeah I get the Blazers logo symbolizes five-on-five around a pin-wheel, but just…like…looking at it? Looking at those convergences of lines? Sure, not every NBA logo screams bball, but that one, IMHO, I could see as, I dunno, wallpaper accent at the Epcot Center, or on the cover of a Dave Brubeck Blue Note recording? - signed Canucks fan who once basked in the hallowed [:pflying V glory.](https://www.google.ca/search?q=old+flying+v+canucks+jerseys&client=firefox-b&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO8_CStffYAhVTVWMKHaSwDykQ_AUICigB&biw=886&bih=804)😛 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/7 "2018-01-27T16:56:45Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > **Chefguy** : No idea how much of a Blazers fan you are - curious what your thoughts are on their logo. Myself, it might be my most hated logo (well, next to the 90s Mighty Ducks, Patriots, the indescribably perverse and sickening Heat logo, and, well, hate to pick on Boston again - Red Sox). > Yeah I get the Blazers logo symbolizes five-on-five around a pin-wheel, but just…like…looking at it? Looking at those convergences of lines? Sure, not every NBA logo screams bball, but that one, IMHO, I could see as, I dunno, wallpaper accent at the Epcot Center, or on the cover of a Dave Brubeck Blue Note recording? > > - signed Canucks fan who once basked in the hallowed [:pflying V glory.](https://www.google.ca/search?q=old+flying+v+canucks+jerseys&client=firefox-b&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO8_CStffYAhVTVWMKHaSwDykQ_AUICigB&biw=886&bih=804)😛 I’m not a rabid fan and don’t attend games, but we watch the televised games. I’ve never liked the logo, which looks like a cereal flake or a sweater button. It’s supposed to abstractly represent the movement in a ball game, but I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![Reluctant\_A](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@Reluctant\_A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reluctant_A)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/8 "2018-01-27T16:57:46Z")
God damn it: DeMarcus Cousins had accounted for, like, 97 percent of my interest in the 2017-18 NBA season. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/9 "2018-01-27T17:21:14Z")
> [@Reluctant\_A](#): > > God damn it: DeMarcus Cousins had accounted for, like, 97 percent of my interest in the 2017-18 NBA season. I’m sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/10 "2018-01-27T17:27:40Z")
> [@Reluctant\_A](#): > > God damn it: DeMarcus Cousins had accounted for, like, 97 percent of my interest in the 2017-18 NBA season. He sure went down with flair, after scoring a triple-double. That’s a really bad injury to recover from, although Wes Matthews was able to do so and plays as hard as he ever did. This could knock NO out of the running, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/11 "2018-01-27T17:53:37Z")
I watched that Cousins injury over and over, and it amazes me how, more often than not, the nastiest injuries can arise from the most innocuous-looking situations. (with Hawyard and George being a couple of outliers:eek:) Often see this strangeness with footy players, who are running along, alone, and suddenly they sieze up and clutch their groin or ham. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/12 "2018-01-27T18:53:13Z")
Someone forgot to tell the Bulls players this was a tank season. They’re not worldbeaters, or even contenders for the playoffs, but they’re playing straight out of the lottery. As painful as the season as a whole is to watch, the games themselves are usually alright. They’ve played up to the competition more often than not, but damn, do they drop some stinkers. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/13 "2018-01-27T23:38:50Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Someone forgot to tell the Bulls players this was a tank season. They’re not worldbeaters, or even contenders for the playoffs, but they’re playing straight out of the lottery. As painful as the season as a whole is to watch, the games themselves are usually alright. They’ve played up to the competition more often than not, but damn, do they drop some stinkers. Same for the Blazers. Kick Houston’s ass one day, lose to Brooklyn (fucking _Brooklyn_!) the next. The first part of this season was a series of one or two point losses to mediocre teams. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/14 "2018-01-28T00:16:03Z")
I have never seen anyone go down [like Andre Roberson just did](https://twitter.com/UpTheThunder/status/957399039590486018). ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/15 "2018-01-28T01:14:17Z")
Moderating Thread title edited by request. ---
**Author:** ![Reluctant\_A](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@Reluctant\_A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reluctant_A)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/16 "2018-01-29T02:37:39Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > I’m sorry for your loss. I feel like you’re not really sorry. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/17 "2018-01-30T00:16:21Z")
First big trade of the season, Blake Griffin traded to floundering Detroit. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/18 "2018-01-30T19:22:07Z")
> [@Covfefe](#): > > First big trade of the season, Blake Griffin traded to floundering Detroit. The Clippers get: Tobias Harris, a pretty good all around contributor. Avery Bradley, a good shooter and pretty decent scorer when healthy. some other guy and a 1st and 2nd round pick. For a guy who can jump over a Kia. I’ve never been a Blake Griffin fan, I don’t think his game translates to a championship team. He’s one dimensional. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/19 "2018-01-30T19:35:06Z")
I don’t think Griffin is completely one-dimensional, and do think he could be a major contributor on a championship team. I mean, you can’t judge anyone by whether they took the Clippers through the playoffs; the Clippers-ness goes too deep (I mean, you think Austin Rivers does translate to a championship team?) But it’s hard to believe he’s going to be worth the money by the end of his contract. Quick big man + lots of injuries + over 30 years old, does not give good odds. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282/20 "2018-01-30T20:41:44Z")
I’m not saying Griffin is necessarily bad, but the Pistons gave up too much. If their goal is to win games and advance in the playoffs, I think this trade hurt their cause both in the short and long term. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-jan-2018-edited/806282.md?page=2)