The NBA Thread

I haven't changed my thoughts much to the tiers of teams and chances at contention, but the East is extremely wide open still with the consideration that Tatum can be back to full swing by the playoffs and a gap year not even being a thing.

I will even say a purple patch team like Charlotte that sneaks into the play-ins as an 8th, MAYBE 7th seed is not one you want to mess with. They *DESTROYED* Boston at the Garden and their response was to bring Tatum back lol.
But even before that always felt their team was on the up (good young players, assets etc), and forcing their way into a play in is a good start
Barring some Bucks miracle, every other team has checked out of the season.

Houston is Spiderman meme Detroit. Just plays physical, fouls, and dares referees to call it. And nothing on offense except Durant, Cunningham save us. Half court offense issues at times. Shut them down, they struggle. Adams a huge underrated loss with all his physical rebounding and boxing.
At least Oklahoma has something on offense aside from Gilgeous Alexander. Denver much better today with Gordon back.
I just dont think they (Rockets) can threaten the guys above them. Previous matchup, iirc Wembanyama disregarded his man Amen Thompson to "clog" Houston's offense. Today, Wembanyama is just sagging off Sengun. And still clogging Houston offense.
Houston decided to mimic by having Sengun sag off Castle. Castle just dribbles to the mid range and no hesitation shoots.
Gotta sell at loss on Sengun Island

Lakers are just too bad on defense, Clippers are a nice comeback story.
 
Absolutely got Houston’s number, praying for a second round matchup with them. We beat them pretty easily with Harper and Fox both out and then we’ve humiliated them with everyone fit. Get the ball out of KD’s hands, you can disregard Amen unless he’s in the dunker’s spot. Easy work.

Minessota are actually the Spurs’ worst matchup. Hopefully OKC takes them out for us.
 
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My kings have really got the ethical tank down pat just say everyone is injured no doubt we will still lose out in the lottery but this draft is generational any team that lands in the top 5 would be pleased
 
Utah was a funny one as well at times, even the local commentators from other feeds chiming in and making jokes.
First it was sitting JJJ and Markkaken against Orlando in the 4Q…then it was random surgeries a then Nurkic etc.
Just a mad dash to the bottom.
To be fair though they dont need to be the worst they just want to keep their top 8 protected pick.

Waaaaaay too much talk on it despite the all star break blues. At least we can get back to the games now that that’s in the back window

But when you’re those teams and FA don’t come to you you kind of don’t have a choice.
 
Wasn't going to comment until we knew the playoff picture...In the East it seemed a bit more obvious, even with the surgence of the Hornets as well as the other teams squabbling in for a play off spot were going through winning and losing streaks. It's nice to get a few different matchups at least.

The West was a little less unpredictable...Portland, the surprise packet...and honestly after all they've been through you can't not give them a wrap either. Whose rebuild which was similar different to Houston's or Detroit's. Except now they've come to end of it. And it'll be led by Avdija free throw shooting. Unless some trade comes by. Then hope the second coming of Dame adds some help.

Washington really dropped the ball with Avdija, who I always thought was capable...but Washington wanted to 'reset'...

As for Miami. After being interested in Ware last season, those multiple instances of him and coach Spoelstra cannot be denied. It's been a "rough" sophomore season. Some positives if Herro stays more healthy.

Clippers...just relied on Kawhi too much in the end, not even sure if there is something in Garland with the fit...

Golden State, you go all in now and hope to be healthy, even if it sets you back a bit, then blow it up

As for the matchups...Only weak spot at the top 4 is Lakers even with the injuries, the 1v8 and 2v7 should be fun viewing still with that said. At least with the East theres some interest there in the closer seed matchups.
 
If the Magic can fix their inconsistency, they might upset the Pistons...probably not, but a good first-up win.
 
I really don't rate the Pistons as a playoff prospect, Rockets East. Would not shock me one bit if they eat it vs an 8th seed.

1 down 15 to go for my Spurs, from the riverwalk to the sea none of your throws should be free Deni you *****.
 
Had a multi with Wemby needing 14 PRAs heading in the 4th, and they were well ahead, and he was on the bench, and I thought "oh no, I'm doomed", but he came back on and ran amok.

Spurs and Nuggets, assuming it happens, will be a great series.
 
Yeah as mentioned Pistons issues were known, happened today again, outside of Cade no one was reliable, other then a bit of washed up Tobias lol.
What came close to maybe Mosleys last game against Charlotte to 1-0 against the top seed is a good turnaround. Always capable just constant injuries but everyone playing at the right time even with Franz on a bit of a minutes restriction
You’ll take that evenly spread scoring all day even with Paolo taking a backseat after going hot for 3Q
One game but at least one wasn’t a bleh blowout.

Agree expected more from the Rockets that game, even without Durant
Need more out of sengun
 
The Lakers were disappointing today, IDK how they got to 3-0 with the bricks they've been putting up in the last two games.
 
Rockets were daring the Lakers to shoot 3 and can't hit a thing. Also, turnovers.
Lebron carrying the team again. What's left of him? One day rest not ideal…
Their chemistry from previous games just off with Reaves back. But always prefer to have Reaves eat those minutes.
Lakers were daring them too but Rockets making theirs. Win or go home I guess

Also Durant has to be one of the s**ttest team mates ever…
Has his feud with Draymond, going gets tough leaves the Warriors, leaves the Nets after tip of foot on the line exit in Conference Semi Finals vs Bucks, then there was the Denver series G6 blowout after 2-2…

Sheppard reminds me loosely of young Steph. Who was essentially trying hard on defense, but can rely on those hands and anticipation. And that strip on LeBron. Only difference is coach Mark Jackson Steve Kerr and Udoka.

Now finally with season on the line these last few games, coach Udoka was willing to let him be in defensive disadvantages with Sengun.
Would have been very interesting if they had won that third game and not fallen apart
 
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Spurs glad they didn’t make any big moves…

Re: Spurs and Blazers…Interesting to compared to when they played in regular season a few weeks ago…Spurs Harper getting extended minutes with no Castle. Against the heavy ball hawking Blazers with Holiday Camara Thybulle or Henderson. And just able to do ball control. At Year 1.
If Harper indeed becomes some version of his public response for a player comparison — Pistons Cunningham.
its not only that they play good – its that they can play together

Minor hiccup just because of Wembys concussion. Blazers did their best pushing pace has lured Spurs into the same run and gun style. Inexperience perhaps.

Just an absolutely buzz saw the Spurs can be. Matched Blazers physicality in the games after.

After a last season under Chris Paul, a playoff series against Jrue Holiday will just add to Castle's development.

I understand why chatter of Fox and his max contract (beginning next season), with Spurs having Castle and Harper.
But that's a player to cover for the two while they develop on their rookie contracts. Plus get the kids chance to experience playoffs. Problem will be a couple of seasons in the future when every young player gets expensive.

Oh yeah, Fox can defend. Avdija not just bullying him. And Fox was basically 2 first round picks. Not bad altogether for adding talent to the roster, in need of talent.

I'm still hoping Scoot will improve enough to become Portland's top dog. This is why I didn't mind the Holiday trade, which should give Henderson enough cover and development chance. Especially after this Playoffs.

I just don't think Clingan (too reliant on guard play) or Sharpe (can he really play defense) are going to take over Avdija's spot on the pecking order.
But towards the end Portland just had no answers…just eventually became obvious that Sharpe and Clingan are not it. Neither obviously is Yang, because Queen isn't a Blazer. Henderson is their final chance for a top player.

Anyway even with all the anti tanking talk we’ve had a great playoffs. Only one sweep
 
I think Harper is genuinely the best lead guard prospect since Luka Doncic. I think he’s going to be better than Cade. Significantly better.

There were some people who were weirdly low on him in the draft. Did not get that at all. Good stats on an horrible team, the analytics liked him, and just by eye test he could weave through phone booth spacing and still get to the rim & rarely turn it over. I saw some suggestion he was an “below the rim athlete”, I don’t know just use your eyes, he plays so under control with change of pace and can get anywhere he wants so easily. Everything you looked at pointed to him not just being good at getting to the rim but *literally the best college guard at getting to and finishing at the rim in the play-by-play era*.

And then as recently as a few weeks ago people saying if the Spurs took Kon instead we’d be better off. No shade on Kon, he’s going to be good, but outlier ability to get into the paint and finish through traffic or compress defences for a kick out is IMO a more valuable skill than really good shooting in a league where most players can shoot now.

I know playing on a really good team is making some stuff easier for Dylan, and I know Cade is bigger, but even allowing for all that, his efficiency for a rookie guard who was supposed to have no pull up jumper is insane… by the end of the season his mid range shooting was already trending towards “above average” too, and he’s league average from 3 and rapidly improving. The thing is with Cade, yes he’s huge, good playmaker, but he doesn’t actually have a single think he’s amazing at, and he’s actually a meh athlete with a pretty loose handle who’s a bit too reliant on bully ball. It’s good to be a good all rounder, but what wins titles is outliers.

Next year they’ll be forced to give Dylan more minutes, and I’ll call my shot now, he’ll put up 18+/5/5 on *disgusting* efficiency (complimentary). Like I’m talking 60%+ from 2. He’s a humble guy so I’m sure he’ll be happy to collect a Sixth Man Of The Year gong but yes there will be a time when the Spurs and Fox’s camp will shake hands and send him to a preferred destination for some expiring salary and/or maybe a forward or back up PG.

For now he’s sort of like the ace in the hole, the wildcard. This team would be great without him but I think he’s going to push them over the top.

Still two full seasons to go after this before Castle’s rookie extension kicks in too…
 
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