2019 NBA Futures: All roads lead though the West (again)

The last time an NBA team was swept in the finals was back in 2007 … it was the Cleveland Cavaliers getting trounced by a younger Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs. Well, unfortunately for the town of Cleveland, not only do they own the Browns, but they own two of the nine NBA finals sweeps—and they are back to back.

The problem isn’t with the Cleveland Cavaliers though. The issue is that the Golden State Warriors look like basketball playing robots from another dimension, a superhuman one. And things don’t look like they are going to change much over in ‘The Town.’ Kevin Durant has stated that he is going to resign for another season. You better believe that the nucleus that makes up these unstoppable Warriors of Golden State will stay intact; they want the three-peat.

Futures Odds on the 2019 NBA Title

After checking Bookmaker a few days ago, we found odds on all of the teams and their implied probability to win the NBA Title in 2019. The top ten candidates according to Las Vegas and top online sites like Bookmaker are:

  • Golden State: +120 (45.5%)
  • Houston +450 (18.2%)
  • Philadelphia +500 (16.7%)
  • Boston Celtics + 650 (13.3%)
  • Los Angeles Lakers + 1400 (6.7%)
  • San Antonio Spurs +2000 (4.8%)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers +2500 (3.8%)
  • Miami Heat +5000 (2.0%)
  • New Orleans Pelicans +5000 (2.0%)
  • Oklahoma City Thunder +5000 (2.0%)

The funny thing is that as of today, the sportsbooks have pulled the NBA Futures lines —don’t worry they will put them back up soon—so we have to assume that they have received some information that is critical to their mathematical process.

Of course, we see that the Warriors once again lead the way. They are far and away favorites to win in 2019. But what is most interesting to me is the fact that the Las Angeles Lakers are suddenly in the conversation. This leads me to believe that there is some insider info telling the money people in Vegas that Lebron will land in LA.

Low and behold, Bookmaker just released odds on where Lebron James will go this offseason, and the Lakers are -140 favorites. The next closest team is Philly at +400. This means Las Vegas believes that there is a 58.3% chance that Lebron will sign with Luke and the lakers.

With all of this back-room yammering that must be going on about the Lakers and Lebron. I still don’t see how this would make them real contenders. Lebron had Love, Korver, Smith, Hill, Thompson, and a slew of other talented players and still could take down the Warriors. How would going to a team that plays very little defense be any better?

It is all about those little intangible things that create a rare occurrence of dynamics that make the best team. It isn’t always the best player or best players … but the best team. The only other teams that currently have this type of intangible thing going are the Rockets and the Raptors. The Raptors know who they are, but they just don’t quite have the talent to beat Golden State. The Rockets, on the other hand, might have taken down GSW if Chris Paul the 3rd didn’t go down and miss Game 7.

Futures Assessment

Looking at where the futures were (it remains to be seen what they become), I believe that the Rockets should actually be closer to +250 and then everyone else nudged back some more … the closest competition out of the east right now shouldn’t be set higher than +600 (six to one). Maybe if Lebron goes to the 76ers, they might have a shot. But again how will he mesh? Philly has a good thing going on. Would Lebron just be a cog in their wheel?

In 2019 all roads lead through Houston and Golden State. Whoever wins the West wins again.

 

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Here’s all the Jeremy Lin hairstyles throughout the years

This is nothing more than a post about Jeremy Lin’s hairstyles. Continue reading “Here’s all the Jeremy Lin hairstyles throughout the years”

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Jeremy Lin sees “good fit” with Charlotte Hornets, signs two-year deal

In “out of left field” news, free agent Jeremy Lin announced on his social media accounts that he signed with the Charlotte Hornets for the 2015-16 NBA season. Continue reading “Jeremy Lin sees “good fit” with Charlotte Hornets, signs two-year deal”

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How did J.J. Redick defend James Harden so well?

A season and a half ago, approximately eight years into his NBA career, J.J. Redick found a way to contribute in ways that expanded his role as off-the-bench, three-point sniper. Continue reading “How did J.J. Redick defend James Harden so well?”

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Clyde Drexler highlights that will make you hungry for more baskets of finger rolls

Isiah Thomas was my favorite NBA player by far, of the 1980’s. Second on that list? Clyde Drexler. Continue reading “Clyde Drexler highlights that will make you hungry for more baskets of finger rolls”

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We Hate Dwight Howard: The long list of NBA players that hate Dwight Howard

It’s no secret that Dwight Howard isn’t very well-liked. In fact, he may be the most disliked NBA superstar in the history of the league. Continue reading “We Hate Dwight Howard: The long list of NBA players that hate Dwight Howard”

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Love/Hate: Jeremy Lin will play alongside Kobe Bryant

Jeremy Lin was going to be traded this off-season. It’s been clear that the Houston Rockets were trying to deal the guard, along with center Omer Asik, to go after some big name free agent names. Continue reading “Love/Hate: Jeremy Lin will play alongside Kobe Bryant”

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Jeremy Lin hits for 21 points against Portland, a career playoff high

Jeremy Lin is still trying to figure out how to maximize his reduced role with the Houston Rockets. Continue reading “Jeremy Lin hits for 21 points against Portland, a career playoff high”

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Jeremy Lin puts up 21 points in 24 minutes in blowout loss vs. Chicago Bulls

It’s been a while since I posted about Jeremy Lin, I guess my brain can only obsess over one Asian-American male at a time. Continue reading “Jeremy Lin puts up 21 points in 24 minutes in blowout loss vs. Chicago Bulls”

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Jeremy Lin’s Reverse Layups vs. Memphis Grizzlies (GIF)

Jeremy Lin reverse layup around Zach Randolph, Ed Davis, and Mike Miller

Jeremy Lin had 5 field goals last night — two three pointers and three reverse layups — in the Rockets’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies last night. Two of Lin’s reverse layups were just badazzxssssss – we’re talking reverse layups at full-speed, one-handed, acrobatic, adjust on the fly NBA shit. Continue reading “Jeremy Lin’s Reverse Layups vs. Memphis Grizzlies (GIF)”

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Jeremy Lin blocks Tony Parker (GIF); Rockets beat Spurs on X-Mas

Jeremy Lin blocks Tony Parker

Last night wasn’t Jeremy Lin’s best individual game statistically, but what he put together on both ends of the court is exactly what the Houston Rockets are looking from the point guard position. Continue reading “Jeremy Lin blocks Tony Parker (GIF); Rockets beat Spurs on X-Mas”

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Chandler Parsons is shirtless, models for Buffalo

You know Chandler Parsons, right? In addition to being an NBA player for the Houston Rockets and Jeremy Lin’s bestie, Parsons also looks like the 6-foot 10 inch member of One Direction. Continue reading “Chandler Parsons is shirtless, models for Buffalo”

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Shirtless Chandler Parsons stares at Jeremy Lin in locker room

shirtless Chandler Parsons cruised Jeremy Lin in the showers

What’s the best part about a shirtless Chandler Parson come-hither stare at Jeremy Lin as he walks out of the shower? The moment Jeremy notices Chandy and is momentarily thrown off.

Chandler Parsons gives Jeremy Lin loving stare in showers

Whether you think it’s gay or you feel the need to label it a bromance, it’s all in good fun. Clearly the two have a playful friendship.

What do I find the most interesting as an experienced researcher on the Jeremy Lin-Chandler Parsons bromance? I’m glad I made you ask.

What makes me LOL the most about these Parsons-Lin pics and gifs are when Parsons takes the joking around too far; crosses a line that clearly makes Lin feel uncomfortable.  BEST.

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Chandler Parsons is right handed for Jeremy Lin

Chandler Parsons puts hand on Jeremy Lin's AssChandler Parsons is becoming a semi-star in the NBA – Chandy makes for a great complimentary player to James Harden; he rebounds, defends, cuts, passes, shoots the three, and uses both hands effectively.

In the following GIF, Chandler shows his ability to use his right hand on Jeremy Lin: Continue reading “Chandler Parsons is right handed for Jeremy Lin”

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Video: Jeremy Lin Hits 9 Threes; Ties Rockets Record

Jeremy Lin 9 threes vs Philadelphia 76ers

Shame on you. Shame on you for not believing in Jeremy Lin’s summer work ethic. Last night, with Beardy out with an injury, Lin hit 9 threes to the tune of 34 points and 11 assists. Please, tell me what else you want from Jeremy.

On top of all the great news, we also have video evidence below. Continue reading “Video: Jeremy Lin Hits 9 Threes; Ties Rockets Record”

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Jeremy Lin Shows Off $4 Smile to Goran Dragic

In Houston’s horrible horrible loss against the Phoenix Suns last Saturday, Jeremy caught an elbow from former Rockets guard and current boy band member Goran Dragic.

The elbow caught Jeremy in the lip, and in this heartfelt pic, Lin shows off the resulting bloodied lip to a curious Dragic. Dragic didn’t just beat Jeremy with his elbow, the left-handed guard scored 13 of his 18 points in the fourth to hold off the Rockets.

Jeremy Lin bloody lip goran dragic

Gah!  Jeremy’s mom must have had a nervous breakdown by now. By my count this season, Jeremy has now had a nasty busted lip, two ankle sprains, an alien laid eggs into his head, had the flu, survived a dragon attack, and about 417 plays in which he falls down on a drive to the hoop.

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Jeremy isn’t sick, doesn’t have bum ankle, gets 21 points and 9 assists against Mavericks

After a couple subpar games by Jeremy Lin, he came back with an aggressive approach against the Dallas Mavericks – like a Lion in the year of the Snake!

No longer suffering from the flu and a sprained ankle that he had to deal with over the last week – Jeremy did a lot of good catching up; his shots all seemed to be going in and his passes all seemed like they ended up in an assist. It helps that Chandy Parsons was having a career night, Omer Asik was actually making layups and not just throwing them up there and crossing his big ass fingers, and James Harden seemed cool with taking a back seat as his teammates ran all over the Mavs 136-103.

The Rockets were actually down three at half, but used a 15-0 run to start the third quarter and eventually end up outscoring Dallas by 27 points in that period.

Lin ended the game with 21 points, 9 assists and lots of brotherly hugs for his bestie, Chandler Parsons, who ended with 32 points on a ridiculous 12-13 from the floor (including 6-7 from three). BESTIES FOREVER!

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I am angry at Jeremy Lin right now [*He was sick with flu!]

jeremy lin sick on bench

[Update: As I was looking for postgame interviews, I found out that Lin may have been sick during today’s game. Someone on the internet mentioned that Lin was a “shivering, sweaty mess” on the bench.” and another source mentioned that Kevin McHale said “Jeremy was sick tonight.”]

Jeremy Lin played terribly tonight. It seemed as if he came into the game unmotivated. No passion. Played poor, uninspired defense. Cocky, even.

It showed even before he was benched by coach McHale, and Patrick Beverly picking up his slack with energy and on-the-ball defense just emphasized how how bad Lin was playing.

Even James Harden was visibly bugged by Lin tonight. He pushed Lin in a manner that said “PICK IT UP”.  After Harden and Beverly nearly stole the ball at the end of the third quarter- the two exchanged high-fives as if they were in the playoffs, not in a regular season game against the Washington Wizards.

Lin’s effort not only wasted an amazing game by Chandler Parsons, but these are the type of games that the Houston Rockets will look back on and say “That’s one we let slip away because of our effort.”

I rarely ever blame any one player for losing a game, and I won’t say it this time, but Lin, the starting point guard didn’t show up today offensively AND defensively, and the Wizards won the game by three points.

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Please put your jersey back on, Omer Asik

Omer Asik decided to come to the  huddle shirtess when the Houston Rockets took on the Washington Wizards.

Other than Chandy Parsons, who is sneaking a quick glance at his fourth nipple, no one can stand to look at the jerseyless Turkish center. In fact Carlos Delfino and Jeremy Lin have to  cover their faces with towels.

Omer Asik shirtless in Houston Rockets huddle

 

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Jeremy Lin does the three-point boogey (GIF)

The Rockets were having a blast on the bench during last night’s three-lebration – led by Jeremy Lin getting low with his playful three-point jam.

Jeremy Lin gif of the Rockets celebrating three-pointers

LOL LOL KEWT I could watch this all day. Jeremy looks like a 12-year old, 24-year old, 6-3 kid! And look at Chandy Parsons, all keeled over and LOL so harden, trying to catch his breath.

(via Clutchfans)

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