SR – NBA Bubble Breakdowns: #11 Philadelphia 76ers

SR – NBA Bubble Breakdowns: #11 Philadelphia 76ers

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by | Jul 20, 2020 | Featured, NBA

 

As we are now only 12 days away from the resumption of the NBA season we look at the Philadelphia 76ers in this bubble breakdown. Another team in the middle of the pack in the eastern conference that has definitely benefitted from this time off because they now return to full strength. With Ben Simmons having time to have healed his back injury and the rest of the squad getting some rest to heal up some nagging injuries the 76ers now are treading as a dark horse in the Eastern Conference. They have a healthy combo of the All-Star Talents of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons and some of there rotational players that have underperformed for much of this year started to come on right before the season’s suspension and look to build upon that in Orland1

The most notable news coming from Sixers Coach Brett Brown over the past week is that in a new starting lineup for the Sixers, Ben Simmons will start at the power forward position not point guard. This change comes from a combination of factors. Simmonds hasn’t played in a game for the sixers since February 22nd. He missed the following 8 games after he suffered the back injury on the 22nd against The Milwaukee Bucks. When Simmons was out for the following 8 games he was replaced at the point guard position by G Shake Milton. In the 8 game stretch, Milton averaged 17 points per game when playing more meaningful minutes and even posted a high of 39 points in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on March first. Milton’s contributions meant so much in that 8 game span because it finally showed Philly had what they had been missing all year … efficient shooting in the backcourt.

 

Philadelphia’s Season in Review (39-26, 6th in the East)

This sixers team gets a lot of slack for underperforming this year but I feel like people are quick to forget just how much this team actually lost from a season ago. Losing Jimmy Butler and JJ Reddick was a huge blow for this team. This year’s Sixers guards although somewhat capable have shown just how valuable the contributions of Reddick and Butlers shooting really was. They haven’t been the same team because they haven’t gotten the same production from the positions that made this team successful a year ago. On top of that, they didn’t just lose two guys they also lost guys like TJ McConnell, James Ennis, and Amir Johnson. Although not the caliber of a Jimmy butler per se those guys still had an impact of the teams winning from the previous season. They certainly have more talent in the frontcourt adding Al Horford for a hefty price. Horford has been solid for the sixers this year averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds a game while being moved in and out of the starting lineup all year as well. The thing that is difficult for Horford is that he is a traditional pick and roll big that usually gets his numbers from running a two-man game with a guard who can shoot so it opens him up either rolling to the post or on the perimeter. He has not been able to get into that type of offensive rhythm that he had been able to previously because he hasn’t been able to find chemistry with a point guard on this roster capable of getting him the ball in scoring position. Because some of the injuries this team has endured have forced hin into the starting lineup more often than anticipated it has been another adjustment for the Sixers to get used to starting two traditional bigs in Horford and Embiid. The Horford and Embiid experiment hasn’t worked all too well for this team, they just seem to take up each other’s space and make it easier for the opposing team to key in on either one of them down on the post. They are both skill guys and like to operate in a lot of the same areas. Embiid is able to create his shot off the dribble but Horford needs more of a setup and to get the ball in the flow of the offense. The problem is that if both of them are occupying space in the post on it makes it hard to have any type of continuity on offense.

You can point to various places that this team needs to improve statistically whether it is shooting or on Defense but what the real problem for the Sixers has been lineups. They haven’t been able to find a consistent lineup that has success all year. Injuries play a huge factor in this of course but for a team as talented as this Sixers team, Bret Brown has to be able to find a way to get a consistent lineup that can compete with the best in the East. This interesting movie to put Ben Simmons at the power forward in the return in Orlando got my attention for two reasons. First, it made me question why this team would wait until now to make this change. I understand that this team could be potentially fighting for the 4 seed in the east so there is some desperation but shouldn’t they just try to build upon what they were doing this year now that they are finally healthy? Second, it made me realize Bret Brown hasn’t had much confidence in any of the lineups he’s thrown out there for the sixers this year so why not make a big change to try and sparks something. For his sake, I hope he is right because I believe if this change doesn’t work in the Sixers favor Bret Brown will be faced with a lot of criticism.

 

Looking into the Bubble:

The Sixers need their leading scorers in Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris to really get it going in the bubble. The addition of Milton in the starting lineup should give Emiid tons of space to work with and also gives him another shooter to kick it to from the post. Simmons, who you assume will still look to attack in transition even at the power forward, has to be aggressive in doing so. Simmons will also need to show his playmaking ability even more so in the halfcourt as hell have to especially come playoffs. Tobias Harris who is averaging about 20 points per game this year is another player that will benefit from not playing with such a big lineup. Tobias who is able to be a pick and pop guy both off the dribble and setting screens now has more room to work with but can go back to playing his natural position and score rather than playing the position this team needed him to be. The most compelling thing to me about this team as they look to beat out Indiana for the 5 seed and potentially steal the 4 is that they can really defend. This team’s real advantage could be on the defensive end now that they are finally healthy. Guys like Matisse Thybulle, Josh Richardson, and Glen Robinson III are all capable defenders. Known for their athleticism and skill these are the type of guys the Sixers are going to need to be able to count on if they think that the new starting lineup is going to work. Whatever way the guards fall into rotation in Orlando they will have to get production scoring off the bench for sure but if they can at least establish that their new identity is defensive rather than offensive than i do believe this team could be the dark horse in the eastern conference.

For an even more in-depth at the Sixers in Orlando Check Out Sixer Gaurd Matisse Thybulle’s VLOG on Youtube. I’ve been following each episode and think he gives amazing insights into the way things work in the NBA Bubble.

 

Jul 20, 2020 No Comments
SR – NBA Bubble Breakdowns: #12 Dallas Mavericks

SR – NBA Bubble Breakdowns: #12 Dallas Mavericks

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by | Jul 18, 2020 | Featured, NBA

 

After looking at the middle of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, today we shift to look at the middle of the Western conference to the 7th place Dallas Mavericks. A team headlined by the superstars of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis has a chance to really make some noise in the bubble. The middle of the Western Conference that includes the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets, at the 5 and 6 seeds also have reached 40 wins this year. The Mavericks at 40-27 are 3 games behind the 5/6 seed and have a legitimate chance at competing for that 5 seed if they show that they are the best of those three teams when the season resumes in a mere 12 days. The Mavs will need to step up and finish out the rest of the regular season getting considerably more production from their guys off the bench and by their best players acting accordingly. For Dallas to be competitive going into the playoffs they will have to finish the regular season as at least over .500 in the last 8 games and show more proof that they can be a real contender in the western conference playoff picture.

 

Dallas’ Season In Review (40-27, 7th In West)

 

It’s no secret this team will go as far as their 20-year-old European star will take them. Luka is averaging 28.7 points, 8.8 assists, and 9.5 rebounds a game this year. His stats suggest he is one of the leagues best point guards and that he’s not only capable of putting up big numbers scoring every night but, also in setting the table for his teammates. The dynamic young stud was coming off some really impressive scoring performances before the season was suspended. Luka had 36, 38, 38, and 28 points in the team’s last 4 games before the seasons halt. He can really fill it up but the most impressive part of his game isn’t just his ability to score or how easily he makes it seem to get a triple-double. With Doncic at the point, the Dallas Mavericks have posted the best offensive efficiency in NBA history this year. Yes even better than the 73-9 Warriors or the ’96-97 Bulls, this team has had a swagger on the offensive end of the ball this year that is unmatched. The Mav’s offensive weapons complement each other well and it helps that they have the swiss army knife that is Doncic, which can help in whatever way the team needs.

 

 

Porzingis has been solid this season averaging 19.2 points per game and 9.5 rebounds. He’s established his presence for his squad this season but, has yet to establish some type of dominance. He’s a 7-footer that has not been outshining opponents with his back to the basket this year. Now, this might be because the Mavs have found other ways to be the most efficient offense in the NBA but, now they will be without some of those pieces. PF/C Dwight Powell who was averaging a helpful 10.6 points and 6.5 rebounds a game this year for the Mavs suffered a season-ending Achilles injury that will keep him from the Orlando restart but he is with the team. Willey Cauley Stien, another one of the frontcourt pieces will also be out due to concerns over the COVID-19 virus (completely understandable). Cauley Stien although averaging only 7.2 points and 6 rebounds per game, is one of those players you know they didn’t sign for the regular season. Willie “Trill” was going to have more of an impact come playoffs defending the bigger lineups in the Western Conference but unfortunately, yet understandably, this will not be the case for the Mavs.

 

 

Dallas was getting some of the best production from G Tim Hardaway Jr. this year. The very capable scorer was averaging 21.5 points per game in the team’s last 10 games and my man was shooting an impressive 41%  from 3. If he can keep up his high volume yet efficient shooting to go along with the Sharpshooting that both Doncic and Seth Curry have been exhibiting this year the team might be able to still succeed without some of their key pieces. Dorian Finney-Smith is another wing that the Mavs will also look to increase production. One of the most notable parts of Finney-Smiths game is the fact that my man shoots 43.4 % on corner 3’s this year which is 5% higher than the rest of the league.

(Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

For much of the season, this team has found a way to get it done offensively with a variety of different lineups. They have a lot of selfless guys and willing passers, so regardless of who they put out there they have a chance to light up opponents with their sharpshooting and you know if Luka decides he’s going for 50. But, the challenge for Coach Rick Carlisle’s squad is not offensively really but on defensively. Even if the Mavs are able to pick up right where they left off offensively and score the ball like crazy they are going to have to find a way to stop opposing bigs with a limited frontcourt and in transition.

 

Looking Into the Bubble:

When you look at the Mavericks projected starting 5 of Luka Doncic, Seth Curry, Tim Hardaway Jr, Dorian Finney Smith, and Kristaps Porzingas, the first question is who is going to guard opposing power forwards? But, when you look in-depth guys on their roster Like Dorian Finney-Smith, Justin Jackson and Delon Wright have actually made it tough for bigger guards and forwards when called upon to guard them this season. Finney Smith has actually held opposing power forwards to shooting about 30% from three this year (which ranks best of the players on this roster capable of guarding the 4). It’s also important to note that this team does have the support of Boban Bagdonavic off the bench when this team does face true centers in the west so Porzigas can go back to guarding the power forward which he’s guarded more this season.

Although this team will definitely have to step it up on defense I don’t believe that they will ever be able to rely on their defense to win games. This team is explosive on the offensive end, they score in bunches the way they win games is by capitalizing off the droughts of their opponents and exploiting mismatches and hot hands. This will be more of the same in the bubble where they will have to set the tone offensively so that they can cover up for their voids on defense. Unlike most of the teams in the league, the Mavs want to get into high scoring games with opponents because they have many guys capable of putting up big numbers or getting hot on offense, they will have to rely heavily upon that in Orlando.

 

 

The Dallas Mavericks take on the Houston Rockets on July 31st and although it will be the first game of the restart this game carries more weight than advertised to me because this game is between two teams witch the same amount of wins fighting for essentially the 5th seed in the West. Both teams will be playing relatively small and adjusted lineups but I believe the winner of this game will have a major momentum boost to finish out the remainder of the regular season. This momentum boost could mean a lot depending on how the western conference does pan out for the playoffs so if the mavericks can get clicking offensively before the Rockets or Thunder, watch out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jul 18, 2020 No Comments
Harlow Drop Video for Whats Poppin Remix

Harlow Drop Video for Whats Poppin Remix

Celebs

by | Jul 18, 2020 | Celebs, Featured

Jack Harlow surprise up all when he dropped the star-studded remix to “WHATS POPPIN.” While just before the weekend the Louisville grafts fans with the official video.

Despite there being a lockdown Lil Wayne, DaBaby, Tory Lanez, DJ Drama, and JetsonMade, who produced the track with Pooh Beatz were able to link up on the set in Miami.

Tory jumps on silver couches, while Weezy delivers his verse posted on the ceiling.

“Thanks for being a part of it, bro,” Harlow told Weezy, during a recent chat for Young Money Radio. “That’s a big notch on my bucket list man … [The song is] going hard and it’s gonna keep going hard now.”

The original track off Jack’s EP Sweet Action, is currently No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. But Jack needs it to hit No. 1 before releasing another verse featuring Justin Bieber.

“I knew the record was special, but it continues to exceed my inner circle and I’s expectations,”Jack said of his surprise hit.

Catch the new Eif Rivera-directed video up below:

Jul 18, 2020 No Comments
SR-NBA Bubble Breakdowns: #13 Indiana Pacers

SR-NBA Bubble Breakdowns: #13 Indiana Pacers

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by | Jul 18, 2020 | Featured, NBA, uncategorised

 

Today we look at a fascinating Indiana Pacers squad that has one of the most unique situation as play returns. A team that had players have to step up this year has put themself in a decent playoff spot. The status of G Victor Oladipo is a situation that could have a huge impact on the Pacers, especially in the playoffs. Oladipo initially reported he would not be playing in the NBA’s return due to concerns over the quadricep tendon he ruptured a season ago. Oladipo only has played in the past 13 games of the Pacers season before the season’s suspension. The Pacers currently are in a tie for 5th place in the Eastern Conference with the Philadephia 76ers. With only 8 games left the Indiana Pacers will need to look to do a lot of things they have done all year long, just at an accelerated rate. Indiana will look to their major rotation guys to produce more and their deep bench to continue to find a way to ultimately just help this team win as many games as possible.

Indiana’s Season In Review (39-26, 5th In East)

 

The Starters for Indiana have been good but will really need to step up for this team to not only in their fight to hold the 5th seed in the East but come the first round of the playoffs. The Backcourt of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis has been one of the few places this roster has found a constant this year. Sabonis is a walking double averaging 20 points and 13 rebounds a game and Turner pitches in an additional 13 points and 7 rebounds per game. They are leaders in the backcourt by G Malcolm Brogdon who was averaging 16.2 points 7 assists and 4.6 rebounds a game this season. He has been supported by the play of both TJ Warren who was averaging 20.5 points per contest as well as Jeremy Lamb who contributed 14.4.

The Pacers were a team that was only going to get better as this season went on. Largely due to the absence of Victor Oladipo and that he would only return after the midway point of this season due to his season-ending injury from a year ago. The Pacers competed at a high-level none the less, this year even without him. Winning 26 games, only a game shy of the 27 they won in 2019 when they had Oladipo the year before, the Pacers got production from their deep into their bench. Of the 9 players in this team’s rotation, they combine for 38 missed games in just the first half of the season. The Pacers have had some refreshing players step up in the wake of the injury problems they have had this year. Players such as JaKarr Sampson and Edmond Sumner have been just a few of the guys that have been able to help step up for the Pacer second unit. Sampson has been a pleasant surprise for this team, averging a team-high in field goal percentage and providing strong interior defense in 13 games played. Goga Bitadze, T.J. Leaf, and Naz Mitrou-Long are among some of the others that have also definitely helped this Indiana second unit reach as many wins as they have.

 

 

 

Pacer’s head Coach Nate McMillan has done a great job of playing different rotations all year long for this team to be in a position to win games. He’s found success with whoamever was available but when Oladipo returned it seemed hopeful he would finally be able to find some stability with the roster this year.

Now they are faced with the same type of problems with the teams rotation they have faced all year long with Oladipos status still up in the air. In recent days it has seemed more probable that Oladipo will return in Orlando but the rest of the roster has to improve regardless if they hope to win their first-round playoff series.

 

Looking into the Bubble:

Hopefully, even with Victor Oladipo, the guys on this roster that will really need to step up are in the backcourt with Brogdon and Lamb. We’ve seen that TJ Warren can successfully create his own shot and get a bucket this year but come playoffs some of these guys are going to have to be able to do the same. It looked hopeful that Oladip was going to come back to fill that void. He was averaging 15 points per game in his 13 games back from injury. He was feeling better physically and it showed statistically as he scored a season-high 27 in the game right before the season was suspended. Brogdon and Lamb specifically need t step up because they are guard who finally possesses the ability they just have not consistently demonstrated it in terms of really scoring the ball this year. If they can find more consistency scoring from this part of the lineup to help the team along with some solid shooting from Doug Mcdermott, and Just and Aaron Holiday off the bench then the team will have the offensive weapons to compete with a first-round playoff series.

 

 

The Pacers have the 4th easiest schedule coming back to play but that doesn’t mean too much. They are still technically tied with the 76ers who have underperformed this year and are getting a healthy Ben Simmons after having time to heal a back injury. Pacers have a chance to be competitive in the playoffs depending where they do finish out in the eastern conference standings they will need a favorable matchup, lots of their roster to step up and a little bit of luck to get beyond the first round of the playoff this year.

Jul 18, 2020 No Comments
Tinashe Unleashes Alter Ego On Latest bop Rascal (Superstar)

Tinashe Unleashes Alter Ego On Latest bop Rascal (Superstar)

Celebs

by | Jul 17, 2020 | Celebs, Featured

Tinashe has released a new single and some visuals to accompany the track entitled“Rascal (Superstar),” produced by Sage the Gemini.

Unleashing her alter ego sassy side on the “braggadocios bad bitch anthem,” We see a blonde hair Nashe whose twerking and cooking on a live webcam while quarantined at home.

Rascal (Superstar)” follows Tinashe’s album Songs for You, which was released in November. And she may have even more bops on the way.

Watch Tinashe dance, make colorful cakes, and sing to a pink drone in the Jasper Soloff–directed visual above.

Jul 17, 2020 No Comments
DJ Khaled Enlist Drake for Two Summer Singles

DJ Khaled Enlist Drake for Two Summer Singles

Celebs

by | Jul 17, 2020 | Celebs, Featured

Your summer just got a little better, as DJ Khaled call on an old friend to release two new singles.

After weeks and weeks of teasing, The We the Best mogul reunites with Drake on “Popstar” and “Greece,” off his upcoming 12th studio album Khaled Khaled.

With his such hits as “I’m On One,” “No New Friends,” “For Free,” and “To the Max.” It looks like nothing’s changed, “Popstar,” produced by OZ (“Toosie Slide,” “Life Is Good”), finds Drizzy in his bag giving listeners that will be play for years to come. From clubs, parties, and charting the top spot on radio.

“Greece,” also produced by OZ is a smoother single that seem to cater to the ladies. As Drake sings “Come with me, leave all of your things, yeah / We can stop at Gucci, stop at Louis V, yeah / Come with me, fly you out to Greece / Full speed, survoler Paris.”

As Khaled is now readying his 12th studio album Khaled Khaled, you can stream “Popstar” and “Greece” now on all major platforms. Drake’s long-awaited sixth album is due later this summer.

Jul 17, 2020 No Comments