NBA Debates

Recently, I read a bunch of NBA opinions on Instagram and I thought they were very interesting. People all around have tons of different opinions, some popular and some unpopular. So let's take a look at some of these predictions and determine if they are true or false.

Jayson Tatum will be an All-star this year. True or False?

With lots of talent leaving this East this year (cough cough LeBron James), the East has opened up a lot, and Jayson Tatum is playing exceptionably well. He has started off the season really great and he plays like he did during last year’s playoffs, I can see him making the All-star squad. Another huge factor in his making of the team is fanbase. Tatum is a very popular player among fans and since a lot of the voting is done by fan-vote, I can see Tatum being an All-star.

True

If Houston acquires Jimmy Butler, they will make it out of the West. True or False?

Jimmy Butler would be a huge plus for the Rockets but I’m not sure if they can make it out the West, even with him. Think about it. First, lets compare them to last year. They gained Carmelo Anthony, but lost Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute. Now Melo is a better scorer than those two. Melo has been playing well so far for the Rockets, but as of now, the only thing Melo provides is scoring. The Rockets are not in need of scoring. They have plenty of offensive threats. What they really are in need of is defense. Melo’s defense is subpar and losing Ariza and Mbah a Moute, two fantastic defenders, really hurts the Rockets.

Now if they trade for Jimmy Butler, you have to think who is gonna be sent to Minnesota in exchange. So far, rumors of four first-round picks are in the talks, which is a terrible idea, but if you think of ONLY this year, it’s basically a free player. Now other than picks, the Rockets are gonna have to sacrifice if they want the two-way star. My thoughts go straight to Eric Gordon. Eric Gordon is a huge piece of the Rockets system, but they might need to sacrifice him to get Jimmy Butler. I don’t know if the Rockets are willing to do that. But if they are, the Rockets defense will have a major upgrade.

So obviously the Rockets will be better, but is it enough to beat the Warriors? Let’s think matchup by position. Steph Curry or Chris Paul? Sorry CP3, but Steph is too good of a scorer. While Paul is the MVP for the Rockets, Curry is a 2x LEAGUE MVP. Especially with the way Steph has started off the season, I don’t think so. Klay Thompson or James Harden. James Harden is the reigning MVP and Klay has been in a slump to start the season. Jimmy Butler or Kevin Durant. KD for sure. Draymond Green or PJ Tucker? Draymond can do it all. Similar size but Dray does all. Clint Capela or Demarcus Cousins. Boogie is too good. So all in all, while this matchup would be tight, I think that the Warriors still have the edge.

False

LeBron James will not reach The Finals after 8 consecutive appearances. True or False?

This one is definitely true. There is no way the King will be able to make it again. Last year, he barely made it to the Finals in a weak Eastern Conference, going to two game 7s. While the Celtics were a good team and I can understand tangoing to game 7 with them, LeBron is in the West now, where the competition is much higher. In the East, he was basically guaranteed a playoff spot, but now, he has to fight hard for it. And so far, the Lakers are looking too good. Even if they do make it, there is no way they can topple teams like the Warriors and Rockets, or even the Jazz and Thunder.

True

Damian Lillard should leave Portland. True or False?

I see the Trail Blazers as the Wizards of the West. John Wall and Bradley Beal are very similar to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Both teams have similar roster depth, similar rankings and can’t seem to make that last jump to win in the playoffs. Dame needs some serious help. That could be adding another star or jumping ship. Only problem is that no star is gonna come to Portland. That means as hard as it is, Dame needs to jump ship. Portland has been good for years, but they aren’t going anywhere and it’s time for rebuilding. Dame leaving might break the hearts of all Blazer fans, but in the end, Dame will be happier, and with draft picks and other pieces received for Dame, Rip City can rebuild.

True

Nick Young is good enough to be on an NBA roster. True or False?

True! Nick Young can get buckets! And I’m not saying that he should be the star player or anything, but he definitely deserves a spot on a roster! For crying out loud, he was an important piece in the Warriors last championship. If the champions know how to utilize him, then any team should be able to too.

True

Carmelo Anthony will never win a ring. True or False?

I don’t want to rule out the word never…Melo is on the Rockets now, who honestly have a chance at the title. It’ll be very unlikely but even if they have a tiny fraction of a chance, I’m not gonna rule out the word never.

False