Giannis Antetokounmpo, the "Greek freak", was named the NBA's Most Improved Player for 2016-2017. Antetokounmpo emerged as one of the league's most mesmerizing players in 2016-17, averaging 22.9 points 8.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game for the Bucks last season. He made marked improvement across the board from his third year in the NBA in 2015-16.

Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in scoring (22.9), rebounding (8.8), assists (5.4), steals (1.6) and blocks (1.9). He became the fifth player in NBA history to lead his team in each of those five categories and first player in league history to rank in the top 20 in each of those five categories.

Giannis beat out Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Denver Nuggests center Nikola Jokic.

[Edited 6/26/17 19:39pm]

Mike D'Antoni was named the 2016-2017 NBA Coach of the Year for his work with the Houston Rockets. D’Antoni takes home the award over San Antonio Spurs coah Gregg Popovich and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

The Rockets hired D’Antoni to turn things around after a disappointing 41-41 2015-16 campaign that culminated in a first-round series loss to the Golden State Warriors. Kevin McHale was fired only 11 games into the year after a slow start, with J.B. Bickerstaff taking over and coaching the final 71 regular-season games plus the playoffs.

Under D'Antoni's high-powered offense, James Harden put forth an MVP-caliber campaign, and the Houston Rockets finished with the second best offense in the NBA behind only the mighty Golden State Warriors, and all kinds of 3-point records were set in the process. The Rockets attempted over 40 3-pointers per game and made 1,181 triples in the regular season, blowing away the previous record of 1,077 by last year’s 73-win Warriors.

[Edited 6/26/17 19:40pm]

After finishing second the past two seasons, Draymond Green finally was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for 2016-2017. The do-everything forward for the Golden State Warriors had been the runner-up to Kawhi Leonard for the past two seasons, but he finally surpassed him this season while anchoring a championship Warriors squad.

Green beat out Leonard and Utah’s Rudy Gobert in a hotly contested race.

Green can play like the traditional players who have won this award — shot blocking centers and shutdown perimeters defenders — but it’s best to view his defensive abilities like that of a play-calling middle linebacker in football. Green isn’t just Golden State’s most talented defender; he’s the one who directs his four teammates into the places where they need to go. It’s Green’s defensive IQ that allows the Warriors to switch so frequently and indiscriminately.

Green led the league with two steals per game and recorded 1.4 blocks per game, as well. His defensive box plus/minus was 5.0, the best in the league, and the Warriors recorded a 99.3 defensive rating in the 2,471 minutes that Green spent on the floor during the regular season.

Green also had the first triple-double in league history that came without points — on Feb. 10, Green recorded 12 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals against the Memphis Grizzlies while scoring just four points for the game

Russell Westbrook was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for 2016-2017. He made history this season becoming the first player to average a triple double during the regular season since the legendary point guard Oscar Roberston.

Westbrook also led the NBA in total points scored, while averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists. He averaged over a point more per game than Robertson did in 1961-62, when he put up 30.8 per game. By contrast Westbrook's averages for rebounds (10.7) and assists (10.4) are both lower than those set by Robertson, who racked up 12.5 rebounds per game along with 11.4 assists.

Westbrook scored 57 points while setting a triple-double in a win over the Orlando Magic in March. Since 1983, a player scoring at least 50 while posting a triple-double has only happened five times, Westbrook is responsible for three of those games, with James Harden achieving the feat twice.

The Oklahoma City Thunder were 33-9 this season when Westbrook recorded a triple-double. They went 13-25 when he didn't.

Westbrook topped a group featuring former teammate James Harden, San Antonio Spurs' forward Kawhi Leonard, Lebron James and reigning two-time MVP Stephen Curry.

728huey said:

After finishing second the past two seasons, Draymond Green finally was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for 2016-2017. The do-everything forward for the Golden State Warriors had been the runner-up to Kawhi Leonard for the past two seasons, but he finally surpassed him this season while anchoring a championship Warriors squad.

Green beat out Leonard and Utah’s Rudy Gobert in a hotly contested race.

Green can play like the traditional players who have won this award — shot blocking centers and shutdown perimeters defenders — but it’s best to view his defensive abilities like that of a play-calling middle linebacker in football. Green isn’t just Golden State’s most talented defender; he’s the one who directs his four teammates into the places where they need to go. It’s Green’s defensive IQ that allows the Warriors to switch so frequently and indiscriminately.

Green led the league in kicking guys in the nuts which led to him to accumulate with two steals per game and recorded 1.4 blocks per game, as well. His defensive box plus/minus was 5.0, the best in the league, and the Warriors recorded a 99.3 defensive rating in the 2,471 minutes that Green spent on the floor during the regular season.

Green also had the first triple-double in league history that came without points — on Feb. 10, Green recorded 12 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals against the Memphis Grizzlies while scoring just four points for the game

I took the liberty of adding a pertinent statistic.

Phil Jackson OUT!!!!!

http://www.nydailyne...ticle-1.3284790

Unfortunately, this was done AFTER the draft. So now we have a rookie who fits a system that the team won't run......perfect. Only the Knicks can f--- up even when they do the right thing.

The Rockets will send the Clippers a package that includes guards Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams, forward Sam Dekker and a 2018 first-round pick (protected Nos. 1-3) for Chris Paul, league sources told The Vertical. There are smaller parts to the deal, including non-guaranteed contracts, league sources said.

I don't see how that's going to work.

Phil Jackson's butt-boy Charley Rose at it again. All he does is wear knee-pads for Phil;

https://www.fanragsports....re-knicks/

Lupica nailed it;

http://www.nydailynews.co...-1.3284790

[Edited 6/28/17 15:34pm]

uPtoWnNY said:

The Rockets will send the Clippers a package that includes guards Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams, forward Sam Dekker and a 2018 first-round pick (protected Nos. 1-3) for Chris Paul, league sources told The Vertical. There are smaller parts to the deal, including non-guaranteed contracts, league sources said.

I don't see how that's going to work.

Phil Jackson's butt-boy Charley Rose at it again. All he does is wear knee-pads for Phil;

https://www.fanragsports....re-knicks/

Lupica nailed it;

http://www.nydailynews.co...-1.3284790

[Edited 6/28/17 15:34pm]

I have questions, too. But two things they're saying around here make me feel better: (1) Hardin specifically insisted the Rockets get Chris Paul. It's not like Paul is being thrust upon Hardin; this is something that both Hardin and Paul wanted very badly, so they must have some idea about how they're going to work together; and (2) Paul is a 9-time-in-a-row All Defensive Team member. This is a guards-based league so having a "shut down" guard on defense has got to be a good thing.

I feel sorry for Knicks fans. You have no hope with Dolan as your owner. Though my son did tell me that the grapevine says the Rockets may have an interest in Carmelo Anthony. That'd be addition by subtraction for y'all, but it would wreck the Rockets, IMO.

uPtoWnNY said:

Phil Jackson OUT!!!!!

http://www.nydailyne...ticle-1.3284790

Unfortunately, this was done AFTER the draft. So now we have a rookie who fits a system that the team won't run......perfect. Only the Knicks can f--- up even when they do the right thing.

The Knicks always find a way to make the right move at the wrong time. I've discussed PJ's many issues as a GM before, but maybe the worst one he made was extending Melo with a no-trade clause. (Brilliant on Melo's part though.)

RodeoSchro said:

uPtoWnNY said:

The Rockets will send the Clippers a package that includes guards Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams, forward Sam Dekker and a 2018 first-round pick (protected Nos. 1-3) for Chris Paul, league sources told The Vertical. There are smaller parts to the deal, including non-guaranteed contracts, league sources said.

I don't see how that's going to work.

Better move for the Clips than it looks. They were going to lose CP3 anyway, and got a scorer, a defender, and a role player plus a lotto pick. Good deal for them.

Charley Rose:

https://www.fanragsports....re-knicks/

Rose isn't completely wrong. Like Kobe in LA, Melo is NY's greatest strength and greatest challenge.

I honestly don't think that the Triangle is that bad; it did win a title this decade. The problems are that (1) Phil and Tex Winter are the faces of it, and so it seems "old"; and (2) Phil refused to adjust his system to his players, which is a coaching no-no. Ball movement and distribution of shots are critical to winning big in today's NBA.

Lupica nailed it;

http://www.nydailynews.co...-1.3284790

unfortunately it seems Phil the GM forgot much of Phil the Coach used to succeed.

I have questions, too. But two things they're saying around here make me feel better:

(1) Hardin specifically insisted the Rockets get Chris Paul. It's not like Paul is being thrust upon Hardin; this is something that both Hardin and Paul wanted very badly, so they must have some idea about how they're going to work together;

True. They can complement each other really well.

and (2) Paul is a 9-time-in-a-row All Defensive Team member. This is a guards-based league so having a "shut down" guard on defense has got to be a good thing.

I didn't realize he was that good of a defender. His offensive ability as a distributor and scorer also puts pressure on whoever guards him, too.

my son did tell me that the grapevine says the Rockets may have an interest in Carmelo Anthony. That'd be addition by subtraction for y'all, but it would wreck the Rockets, IMO.

It could. Melo's played for D'Antoni before and I don't know whether that's good or bad. BUT . . . Melo's also never played with a star he sees as a peer, like CP3. That may help him in HOU.

[Edited 6/29/17 10:48am]

^ In Houston, Melo would be third man on the totem pole. behind Harden and Paul. Do you think he could handle that?

RodeoSchro said:

^ In Houston, Melo would be third man on the totem pole. behind Harden and Paul. Do you think he could handle that?

I don't know. But he's never played with another alpha dog he respects. If he's ever going to handle it, it will be with CP3 or one of the Banana Boat crew.

If he loves his shots and his money he should stay in NY. HOU better figure that out BEFORE they sign him, though.

That said, now the word around the sewing circle is that he would take a pay cut to go to CLE.

namepeace said:

RodeoSchro said:

^ In Houston, Melo would be third man on the totem pole. behind Harden and Paul. Do you think he could handle that?

I don't know. But he's never played with another alpha dog he respects. If he's ever going to handle it, it will be with CP3 or one of the Banana Boat crew.

If he loves his shots and his money he should stay in NY. HOU better figure that out BEFORE they sign him, though.

That said, now the word around the sewing circle is that he would take a pay cut to go to CLE.

What was the Cavs biggest issue in the Finals? Lack of two-way players coming off the bench. Anthony can't defend, especially at his age. It would be a dumb move by Cleveland.

As for the sorry-ass Knicks, I truly believe they would have been in a better place if Donnie Walsh had been allowed to carry out his plan, instead of the brain-dead owner blowing it up. Oh well.....long ago, I accepted the fact that this franchise will ALWAYS suck with Dolan at the top. Learn it, live with it, Knick fans. At least I still have my football Giants. Thank goodness for the Maras.

As for the next GM, I heard Ujiri, but it would probably cost NY a first round pick....fuck that! I'd interview Griffin.


By the way, Isiah Thomas just tweeted he's not interested in the GM job.

[Edited 6/29/17 15:22pm]

uPtoWnNY said:

namepeace said:

I don't know. But he's never played with another alpha dog he respects. If he's ever going to handle it, it will be with CP3 or one of the Banana Boat crew.

If he loves his shots and his money he should stay in NY. HOU better figure that out BEFORE they sign him, though.

That said, now the word around the sewing circle is that he would take a pay cut to go to CLE.

What was the Cavs biggest issue in the Finals? Lack of two-way players coming off the bench. Anthony can't defend, especially at his age. It would be a dumb move by Cleveland.

As for the sorry-ass Knicks, I truly believe they would have been in a better place if Donnie Walsh had been allowed to carry out his plan, instead of the brain-dead owner blowing it up. Oh well.....long ago, I accepted the fact that this franchise will ALWAYS suck with Dolan at the top. Learn it, live with it, Knick fans. At least I still have my football Giants. Thank goodness for the Maras.

As for the next GM, I heard Ujiri, but it would probably cost NY a first round pick....fuck that! I'd interview Griffin.


By the way, Isiah Thomas just tweeted he's not interested in the GM job.

[Edited 6/29/17 15:22pm]

I was wondering what that blast of air was we just felt down here in Texas. It must have been the sighs of relief from all the Knicks fans!

namepeace said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Phil Jackson OUT!!!!!

http://www.nydailyne...ticle-1.3284790

Unfortunately, this was done AFTER the draft. So now we have a rookie who fits a system that the team won't run......perfect. Only the Knicks can f--- up even when they do the right thing.

The Knicks always find a way to make the right move at the wrong time. I've discussed PJ's many issues as a GM before, but maybe the worst one he made was extending Melo with a no-trade clause. (Brilliant on Melo's part though.)

The dysfunction was worse than we thought;

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... -1.3288415

uPtoWnNY said:

namepeace said:

I don't know. But he's never played with another alpha dog he respects. If he's ever going to handle it, it will be with CP3 or one of the Banana Boat crew.

If he loves his shots and his money he should stay in NY. HOU better figure that out BEFORE they sign him, though.

That said, now the word around the sewing circle is that he would take a pay cut to go to CLE.

What was the Cavs biggest issue in the Finals? Lack of two-way players coming off the bench. Anthony can't defend, especially at his age. It would be a dumb move by Cleveland.

Valid.

As for the sorry-ass Knicks, I truly believe they would have been in a better place if Donnie Walsh had been allowed to carry out his plan, instead of the brain-dead owner blowing it up. Oh well.....long ago, I accepted the fact that this franchise will ALWAYS suck with Dolan at the top. Learn it, live with it, Knick fans. At least I still have my football Giants. Thank goodness for the Maras.

I agree. Walsh knew what he was doing.

As for the next GM, I heard Ujiri, but it would probably cost NY a first round pick....fuck that! I'd interview Griffin.

The picks matter more to NY now than ever. Griffin is competent, and maybe we'll get to see how he builds a team without LeBron's presence looming so large.


By the way, Isiah Thomas just tweeted he's not interested in the GM job.

I could tweet that too, and it would be just as relevant to the Knicks as Zeke's tweet.

[Edited 6/29/17 15:22pm]

Bulls waive Rondo after ONE year.

Rubio got traded to Utah for a draft pick.

728huey said:

Paul George just got traded to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Meanwhile, Blake Griffin just re-signed a five year deal with the Clippers.

I doubt George will stay after a year. Like Durant, he'll get tired of Westbrook jacking up shot after shot.

Michael Carter Williams signs with Charlotte.

Amir Johnson & JJ Reddick sign with Philly. Nice moves by the Sixers. If Embiid stays healthy, maybe they can be a 7th or 8th seed in the east.

Paul Millsap to Denver.

Zach Randolph & George Hill to Sacramento.

Gordon Hayward to Boston.

Nets sign Otto Porter to a $104m max offer, but the Wizards intend to match.

[Edited 7/4/17 20:46pm]

uPtoWnNY said:

Bulls waive Rondo after ONE year.

Rubio got traded to Utah for a draft pick.

Rondo is the biggest wild card in the NBA, and has been for almost a decade.

I get the feeling Rubio's a good fit for Utah.

uPtoWnNY said:

728huey said:

Paul George just got traded to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Meanwhile, Blake Griffin just re-signed a five year deal with the Clippers.

I doubt George will stay after a year. Like Durant, he'll get tired of Westbrook jacking up shot after shot.

They can get to 50+ wins with PG-13, but as a Laker fan, I hope you're right.

Next summer will be fascinating.

uPtoWnNY said:

Michael Carter Williams signs with Charlotte.

Amir Johnson & JJ Reddick sign with Philly. Nice moves by the Sixers. If Embiid stays healthy, maybe they can be a 7th or 8th seed in the east.

Does this move do anything for the Hornets?

They'll actually have a nice blend of youth, athleticism and experience. Hopefully they gel. I'd love to see the Sixers-C's back at the top of the card again.

uPtoWnNY said:

Paul Millsap to Denver.

Zach Randolph & George Hill to Sacramento.

Gordon Hayward to Boston.

Nets sign Otto Porter to a $104m max offer, but the Wizards intend to match.

[Edited 7/4/17 20:46pm]

What does that do for DEN? I dunno.

Z-Bo and Hill are good moves, I think. They give Fox solid veteran support.

Hayward is a really good get for the C's . . . but not yet enough until LeBron leaves or passes his prime.

Is Otto Porter really that good?

Ainge is thinking long-term. He's preparing Boston to dominate the east post-LeBron.

Jodie Meeks has agreed to a two-year, $7 million deal with the Washington Wizards.

P.J. Tucker has reached agreement on a deal with the Houston Rockets.

Nene agrees to a 3-year, $11M with Houston.

Kyle Korver has agreed to a three-year, $22M deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Mike Scott has agreed to a one-year, veteran minimum deal with the Washington Wizards.

Patrick Patterson has agreed to a three-year, $16.4M deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Omri Casspi has agreed to a one-year deal with Golden State.

Nick Young has agreed to a one-year, $5.2M deal with the Golden State Warriors.

Dion Waiters is finalizing a deal with the Miami Heat.

Pacers waive Monta Ellis.

Still waiting to hear if Otto Porter returns to the Wizards.

[Edited 7/5/17 15:06pm]

uPtoWnNY said:

Ainge is thinking long-term. He's preparing Boston to dominate the east post-LeBron.

That's true. I don't think IT4 is worth max money; I just think he was their only real scoring option. If they pay IT4 it could limit them. But they are probably looking to get into a sweepstakes for Anthony Davis or draft the Next Big Superstar.

Ainge's patience may finally be paying off.

Heat don't clear Chris Bosh to return after failed physical

The Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks are seriously engaged in a possible three-team deal that would send Danilo Gallinari to the Clippers in a sign-and-trade, league sources told The Vertical.

In the trade’s latest form, the Hawks would receive guard Jamal Crawford, center Diamond Stone and a future first-round pick, league sources said. The trade has yet to be finalized, and could include additional players and teams, league sources said.

Source.

With or without Phil Jackson, the Knicks have the most inept management in sports. Tim Hardaway Junior's not half the player his father was. I'd love to know what Steve Mills has on James Dolan. That clown should have been shown the door along with Phil.

Spending all that money (4yrs/$71mil) for a team that's supposed to be rebuilding is fucking stupid. So the new GM gets stuck with a bad contract.....brilliant.

uPtoWnNY said:

With or without Phil Jackson, the Knicks have the most inept management in sports. Tim Hardaway Junior's not half the player his father was. I'd love to know what Steve Mills has on James Dolan. That clown should have been shown the door along with Phil.

Spending all that money (4yrs/$71mil) for a team that's supposed to be rebuilding is fucking stupid. So the new GM gets stuck with a bad contract.....brilliant.

They are starting 2 make the Bulls Paxson and Forman look less inept.