NBA 2023-2024 Thread

[texasdave]

Break up the Rockets! 5 in a row! Last year they were 28th in the league in defences (118.6 ppg). This year they are 4th in the league (106.0). I'm just going to enjoy this while it lasts.

[SteelSD]

The first quarter of the Sixers/Pistons contest sure smelled like a trap had been sprung. As in the Celtics game, Philly started out ice cold from the field, and the youthful Pistons were the more active team, resulting in a 16-point Detroit lead deep into the 2nd quarter. At that point, Embiid got mad to help pull the Sixers within eight at the half, and Philly blitzed Detroit to start the second half, eventually pulling out to a 15 point lead of their own in the fourth and walking it home for the 8-point win.

Embiid finished with 33 points and 16 boards, facing muggings from double and triple teams all night long to the tune of 19 free throws. Tyrese Maxey wasn't hitting from deep (2-of-7), but had his float game going, with his penetration into the paint leading to a 9-for-9 night from the stripe, also tossing in 11 dimes against 0 turnovers. The game MVP for the Sixers though was probably Tobias Harris and his 24-point outburst, much of that coming when the Sixers really needed a bucket to keep the game from getting out of hand. Defensively, Philly did a great job nullifying the Pistons' ICT strategy by harassing Detroit shooters at the three-point line, holding them to only 28% from deep. And with 13 steals, the Sixers won the turnover battle 16 to 8. Speaking of turnovers, only Embiid (5) and Harris (3) had any, and two or three of those were sketchy Tony Brothers specials.

For Detroit, Killian Hayes- who never met a shot he won't take- led the squad with 23 points, and Cade Cunningham pitched in with 21. I like Cunningham's skill set, but he's got to develop a consistent shot from three to max his potential. While we're on the subject, Ausar Thompson flashed a solid skill set, with 12 points on 50% shooting, nice moves through the paint, 13 boards, and 3 blocked shots. There's a lot of good young talent there and, while they foul way too much, they play as hard as any team in the league.

Next up is Indiana tomorrow in Philly, where the Sixers are going to need to start strong and get back on track from three, because we know the Pacers can pace.

[SteelSD]

Well, crap. Kelly Oubre was the victim of an apparent hit-and-run accident while walking near his home tonight. He's currently hospitalized and in stable condition, but is expected to miss "significant" (not season-ending) time due to his injuries.

https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/11/11/23957305/sixers-kelly-oubre-jr-car-accident-injury-nba-philadelphia-daryl-morey

[Kingspoint]

Well, crap. Kelly Oubre was the victim of an apparent hit-and-run accident while walking near his home tonight. He's currently hospitalized and in stable condition, but is expected to miss "significant" (not season-ending) time due to his injuries.

https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/11/11/23957305/sixers-kelly-oubre-jr-car-accident-injury-nba-philadelphia-daryl-morey

Wish him a full recovery.

[SteelSD]

It's being reported that Oubre broke his ribs, but otherwise received only various cuts and bruises. He was released from the hospital last night and will heal/rehab under the direction of the Sixers medical staff.

Updates are posted at the link in my initial post about this.

[M2]

Well, crap. Kelly Oubre was the victim of an apparent hit-and-run accident while walking near his home tonight. He's currently hospitalized and in stable condition, but is expected to miss "significant" (not season-ending) time due to his injuries.

https://www.libertyballers.com/2023/11/11/23957305/sixers-kelly-oubre-jr-car-accident-injury-nba-philadelphia-daryl-morey

Sucks for him as he was finally making a difference for a quality team. Hope he recovers quickly and gets back to his current form.

Northeast fun fact, Philadelphians are not great drivers. New York drivers are hyper aggressive, but outstanding. Boston drivers are dicks, but generally pretty decent. DC drivers are a bit entitled (they often get in the lefthand lane and go slow). Philly drivers are erratic. You can't quite figure out why they're doing what they're doing.

[M2]

The Clippers got off to a 3-1 start this season and looked pretty good. Kawhi, PG and Russ seemed to fit well together. Then they traded for James Harden, and since then they've lost 5 straight. That might be schedule related. It might be a fluke. Yet they dropped a home game today to a flatlining Grizzlies team. This could be a disaster.

[SteelSD]

The Clippers got off to a 3-1 start this season and looked pretty good. Kawhi, PG and Russ seemed to fit well together. Then they traded for James Harden, and since then they've lost 5 straight. That might be schedule related. It might be a fluke. Yet they dropped a home game today to a flatlining Grizzlies team. This could be a disaster.

Harden was cranky that he had to defer to Embiid. Now he has to defer to both George and Leonard, while Westbrook steals shots.

Be careful what you wish for, James...

[SteelSD]

Have a GAME, Tyrese Maxey.

[M2]

Have a GAME, Tyrese Maxey.

First true volume scoring guard they've come up with since Iverson.

[M2]

A few teams that are surprising me in both good and bad ways.

- I think OKC might be a top 6 contender. Chet Holmgren has been excellent and is the runaway ROY at this moment. He's good at almost everything. They still don't space well, but they play such a high pressure style that it overcomes a lot of their shortcomings.

- The Timberwolves are cruising. This may the best group they've had in franchise history.

- I still don't trust the Mavs, but they're scoring 124 a night. And it's a lot of the no-name guys stepping up to make that happen.

- Miami keeps grinding out wins (five straight) after its slow start. Seems like another winning season with a negative points differential could be in its cards.

- The Pelicans lack an operable heart. Yes, they've got some injuries, but five straight losses while Zion and Ingram are healthy is pretty inexcusable.

- If the Lakers lose at home tonight against Portland, they need to be put in the "suspect" pile with the Clippers and Suns. LeBron, Christian Wood and Troy Vincent are the team's only players with a positive +/- on the season.

[SteelSD]

Ok, recap...

Normally, when you see Joel Embiid throw up a line of 37 points, 13 boards, and 7 assists, you're looking at the game MVP. Not last night. That guy was Tyrese Maxey, with 50 points- hitting 20 of 32 shots- 7 boards, and 3 blocks (a couple of which were nutty). After the game, Maxey dedicated his night to Kelly Oubre. You have to love this kid. He's clearly taking yet another step toward becoming an All-Star, but he acts as if he's still a rookie who's just happy to be here. Thank you, Mike Muscala.

Man, the Pacers play fast and skilled. If they needed a nickname, it'd be "8 Seconds", because Indy's goal is to hold the leather only for about as long as a professional bull rider. If you can't hit your shots, there's a good chance they'll bury you. Even if you do drain buckets, Indiana is still never out of it, as they proved tonight- coming back from a 19-point early defecit to take a brief lead in the third quarter. One of the more interesting things about Indiana is that, other than Turner, if you close out on them at the three point line, they're all capable of driving to the basket, which presents a ton of problems for the defense. Speaking of "problems", the other Tyrese on the floor, Mr. Haliburton, was all sorts of good- finishing with 25 points and 17 dimes. No one on the Pacers had something resembling a bad game, with the difference really being a +22 rebound advantage for the Sixers, much of that on the offensive glass (23 to 8 Philly advantage). That led to a 105-to-90 shot advantage for Sixers.

The Sixers will need to grab their oxygen masks and breathe deeply because the two teams will do it all over again tomorrow night.

[KoryMac5]

A few teams that are surprising me in both good and bad ways.

- I think OKC might be a top 6 contender. Chet Holmgren has been excellent and is the runaway ROY at this moment. He's good at almost everything. They still don't space well, but they play such a high pressure style that it overcomes a lot of their shortcomings.

- The Timberwolves are cruising. This may the best group they've had in franchise history.

- I still don't trust the Mavs, but they're scoring 124 a night. And it's a lot of the no-name guys stepping up to make that happen.

- Miami keeps grinding out wins (five straight) after its slow start. Seems like another winning season with a negative points differential could be in its cards.

- The Pelicans lack an operable heart. Yes, they've got some injuries, but five straight losses while Zion and Ingram are healthy is pretty inexcusable.

- If the Lakers lose at home tonight against Portland, they need to be put in the "suspect" pile with the Clippers and Suns. LeBron, Christian Wood and Troy Vincent are the team's only players with a positive +/- on the season.

The Mavs defensive and rebounding metrics are improved but still towards the bottom quarter of the league. Getting Luka in shape and agreeing to push the pace has been huge...he's the anti Harden in that respect. Lively has been a nice find as has Grant Williams. Kyrie just started to heat up and seems to be on solid footing for now as a teammate. As a fan not sure they are contenders as Denver is a match up nightmare for them...but they are a fun team to watch.

[M2]

No one on the Pacers had something resembling a bad game, with the difference really being a +22 rebound advantage for the Sixers, much of that on the offensive glass (23 to 8 Philly advantage). That led to a 105-to-90 shot advantage for Sixers.

Obi Toppin needs to get busy on the glass. The dirty secret about Myles Turner is he's never been a great rebounder (career per36 of 8.5). Haliburton, Mathurin, Brown and Hield all get active on the boards, but they need some big guys to play big on the glass. Could be an opening for Jalen Smith.

[SteelSD]

Good work, Pacers. Difference in that game was 1) way too many turnovers for Philly early 2) Tyrese Haliburton's 33 points and 15 assists without a turnover, feeding Obi Toppin all night long, outshined both Embiid's 39 points and Maxey's 27, 3) Ugh, that bench. Outscored 32 to 6 was it? Ew.

There was a very strange sequence, which allowed the Sixers to recoup 2 points lost when Nick Nurse was not allowed to choose an replacement shooter for Tobias Harris minutes earlier, who was temporarily removed to get checked by the medical staff. After that, the Pacers executed down the stretch and the Philly squad simply didn't.

Tomorrow Boston. Ew again.

[Mutaman]

When Tyrese Haliburton and Tyler Hero were high school seniors in Wisconsin, somebody else was named Wisconsin High School player of the year.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I’ve really had enough of Draymond.

[Boston Red]

Jazz are 2-0 in the in-season tournament. Look out.

[M2]

I’ve really had enough of Draymond.

Though you have to admit that was a well-executed chinlock.

[RedTeamGo!]

I’ve really had enough of Draymond.

He’s the worrrrrssssttttt

[Kingspoint]

32 Assists and 0 Turnovers for Haliburton against the Sixers in two games.

Somebody on Philadelphia needs to make things a bit more difficult for this man at the point of attack...can't just let him waltz into his Offense and run things freely like he did. That places way too much pressure Defensively on Embiid. Batum and Covington should have split time Guarding him. Their length would have made some of the passes more difficult while both players are capable of getting deflections (and steals).

[Kingspoint]

Jazz are 2-0 in the in-season tournament. Look out.

Portland is so bad.

I understand they are missing their Top-3 PG's in Scoot, Simons and Brogdon. The signing of Bouyea seems like such a tanking move by Joe Cronin.

And, the "new leaf" that Jeremi Grant was showing with more energy on the Defensive end quickly came to an end. He actually tries to avoid rebounding the ball at all costs. All he does is shoot the ball. Sharpe has a lot of work to do on Defense.

Without Brogdon out there on the floor teaching these young guys how to play, it's left to Chauncey to teach them, and Billups clearly is clueless as a Head Coach. They will end up with the worst record in the NBA this season. I really can't see 25 wins for them, unless Brogdon somehow plays 50 more games on the season from here on out. I hope he does as they need his coaching. Every second on the bench he continues to coach the younger players. The Pacers got Aaron Nesmith for him, who's knocking down "3"'s at a 46% clip this season and has been a rotational player off the bench last season and this season. Nesmith is also shooting well from inside the arc. He's 6 years younger than Brogdon as a 30-year old just didn't fit into their timeline of competing, though a reunion to the team this season wouldn't be bad if Indiana decided to see how far they could go in the playoffs. Brogdon is still a better player than anyone on that team, including Haliburton (who can't play a lick of Defense) and Brogdon is more than willing to come off the bench being a team-player first and always. He'd be a perfect Veteran to add to that squad. Indiana also got the draft rights to Mojave King, a 2024 first round pick (from Oklahoma City via Denver), and cash consideration after trading the 2023 pick they got from Boston (that turned out to be Strawther).

Since Brogdon has the freedom to do whatever he wants from Chauncey, he should again put up Hall-of-Fame numbers per 100 possessions, just as he's done his entire career. This, with plenty of minutes in POR (if they don't sit him too often for tanking purposes), should net the Blazers a quality future 1st Round pick. His remaining contract of $22.5M next season should be an attractive commodity as he's showing no signs of age.

- - - Updated - - -

Defensive Game of the Season by Herb Jones last night.

[SteelSD]

Good lord. Doris Burke, SHUT UP!

[Mutaman]

Dame looked like Tyler Kolek out there tonight.

[SteelSD]

Dame looked like Tyler Kolek out there tonight.

Beasley had a game, eh?

Toronto needs to blow their team up sooner rather than later.

[dubc47834]

Good lord. Doris Burke, SHUT UP!

I love Doris Burke...lol

[M2]

Big win for Boston with both Brown and Porzingis out. Derrick White and Jrue Holiday are a heavy combo. And Al Horford continues to befuddle Joel Embiid. These two teams meet again on Dec. 1. Can't wait. Hope they collide in the In-Season Tournament too.

[SteelSD]

I love Doris Burke...lol

To each their own, but I despise her with the passion of a million terrible Jeff Van Gundys. It took her all of 90 seconds to begin howling effusive praise at Jayson Tatum, as usual. The pinnacle of her game analysis, when Maxey got hammered on a no call, was to say something akin to "At first, I though he went straight up, but it was a foul. But I'm GLAD it wasn't called a foul..." Yeah? Real suprise there, Doris. She just needs to get a Celtics face tatoo, get shamrock inserts for her front teeth, color her hair green and drop any pretense that she's anything but a massive Celtics fan. Her clone with the other mic tonight, Beth whateverhernameisnoonecares, called the Sixers "Boston" at least three times and clearly doesn't know anything about the players except what she reads of Burke's work-in-progress Hall of Fame induction drafts for the current Celtics roster.

I don't even care that the Sixers lost. I expected that to be a schedule loss to start with as the tail end of a back-to-back, even with Brown and the gangly triple-word-score out of the lineup. Philly did a great job getting the game within reach, but they were simply gassed and shorthanded themselves, which played into the five minute offensive death run in the third quarter that really cost them the game after coming back from 17 down in the first half. There was a distinct difference in energy level when they brought Jaden Springer off the bench. He probably should have been out there instead of Covington (who had a decent game) down the stretch. Embiid was lagging, particularly on the defensive end, all night long. Marcus Morris is toast, burnt sans butter.

But back to Jayson Tatum...oh my god he's amazing did you know that he was all-NBA which is soooooo tough that even MVP Joel Embiid didn't make the first team because of the position he played but that's ok because Jayson Tatum just transcends basketball and he's soooooo amazing because of all the incredibly difficult shots he hits and he's just locked in all the time and did you know that JAYSON TATUM...YES!! he hit a turnaround or three or I don't know what but the ball went in the basket so now we get to watch Jayson Tatum...did you know his name has a "Y" in it...anyway the other team has the ball who are the Celtics playing again, Beth??

"Um...Boston??"

[Mutaman]

Beasley had a game, eh?



Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in awhile.

[M2]

the gangly triple-word-score

I now believe this to be the Latvian-to-English translation of Porzingis.

[KoryMac5]

Every time I see Lively play I wonder what Duke was doing with him last season...

He has been lights out this season shooting 75% from the field...

He reminds me a lot of Tyson Chandler who the Mavs brought in to help him. If he can put weight on and continue to develop an outside shot he will be a steal at where they took him.

Also the Wizards are really bad...

[Chip R]

To each their own, but I despise her with the passion of a million terrible Jeff Van Gundys. It took her all of 90 seconds to begin howling effusive praise at Jayson Tatum, as usual. The pinnacle of her game analysis, when Maxey got hammered on a no call, was to say something akin to "At first, I though he went straight up, but it was a foul. But I'm GLAD it wasn't called a foul..." Yeah? Real suprise there, Doris. She just needs to get a Celtics face tatoo, get shamrock inserts for her front teeth, color her hair green and drop any pretense that she's anything but a massive Celtics fan. Her clone with the other mic tonight, Beth whateverhernameisnoonecares, called the Sixers "Boston" at least three times and clearly doesn't know anything about the players except what she reads of Burke's work-in-progress Hall of Fame induction drafts for the current Celtics roster.


That's funny you say that because the Celtics fans I follow on Xwitter seem to believe that Doris is a huge Sixers fan.

[SteelSD]

That's funny you say that because the Celtics fans I follow on Xwitter seem to believe that Doris is a huge Sixers fan.

That's because Burke will randomly blurt out something about another team during a Celtics game. Occasionally it's regarding the team playing the Celtics. That's unacceptable.

"Jayson Tatum is so smooth and his moves are like poetry so it's just awesome that Sixers fans...who Maxey plays for...get to see him visit like this because no one should miss... oh look Tatum has the ball again do you see how he dribbles like a ballerina dances and it's a turnover but that's not on him the officials didn't have a good view of the play and look JAYSON TATUM run like a gazelle to get back on defense because hes the ultimate team player..."

She has to get a cut of Tatum jersey sales. Has to.

[Chip R]

That's because Burke will randomly blurt out something about another team during a Celtics game. Occasionally it's regarding the team playing the Celtics. That's unacceptable.

"Jayson Tatum is so smooth and his moves are like poetry so it's just awesome that Sixers fans...who Maxey plays for...get to see him visit like this because no one should miss... oh look Tatum has the ball again do you see how he dribbles like a ballerina dances and it's a turnover but that's not on him the officials didn't have a good view of the play and look JAYSON TATUM run like a gazelle to get back on defense because hes the ultimate team player..."

She has to get a cut of Tatum jersey sales. Has to.

I'll have to cull some of the things they say she says that make her pro Sixers and post them here. I record the games but I rarely watch them. I know, weird. When I do watch I usually just tune out what they say. But I think it's a natural fan reaction to believe the announcers are against their team. Like if a Reds game is on national TV you can 100% believe there are going to be Reds fans complaining about how the announcers are slobbering all over the opposing team and they hate the Reds. And the same goes for the opposing team's fans. They will believe that the announcers are pro-Reds and hate their team.

[SteelSD]

I'll have to cull some of the things they say she says that make her pro Sixers and post them here. I record the games but I rarely watch them. I know, weird. When I do watch I usually just tune out what they say. But I think it's a natural fan reaction to believe the announcers are against their team. Like if a Reds game is on national TV you can 100% believe there are going to be Reds fans complaining about how the announcers are slobbering all over the opposing team and they hate the Reds. And the same goes for the opposing team's fans. They will believe that the announcers are pro-Reds and hate their team.

Burke is the only one I have an issue with, including local announcers for other teams. Oh, I think some of them are dopey as heck, but even when they're actively rooting for their teams, they dont rise to the level of Doris Burke. Even the Celtics own crew is almost tolerable, although I think Scal mostly spews nonsense, but he doesn't absolutely fawn over players.

[M2]

Random PG thoughts:

- Russell Westbrook has been moved to the bench for the Clippers and it seems pretty likely he's going to get traded. Given that he only costs $3.8M, it should be easy enough for someone to acquire him. So who's shopping for a PG? Miami, Orlando, Brooklyn, Chicago, New Orleans and Phoenix seem like the candidates. And if we're looking for a deep cut, could OKC be in the mix?

- But have the Pels come up with an in-house PG answer in Dyson Daniels? He's big and he plays some pretty aggressive defense. He went 10/8/7, +12 in 33 minutes in a win over the Nuggets last night. He's got skills that can fill up a box score. So, while I'd have thought New Orleans might be the leading contender for a Russ trade, I do wonder if they're going to put their trust in Daniels.

- Utah has moved Keyonte George into the starting PG role over Talen Horton-Tucker. Wasn't a hard guy to displace. George could post some tasty assist numbers, though (like much of the rest of the Jazz lineup) he's probably not playing a lot of defense.

- The Hornets are a toxic spill zone and don't be surprised if LaMelo Ball decides he wants out.

- Tyrese Haliburton is dishing out 12.5 apg. If he can increase it to 12.61, which isn't all that huge a leap, he can join the top 10 all-time single season assists per game list (currently dominated by Stockton and Magic, with cameos by Isiah Thomas and Kevin Porter).

[SteelSD]

There was a distinct difference in energy level when they brought Jaden Springer off the bench. He probably should have been out there instead of Covington (who had a decent game) down the stretch.

Interesting note...In last night's 126-116 win against Atlanta, Jaden Springer led the bench with 22 minutes. In the second half, he entered the game with 3:54 left in the third quarter and never left the floor again taking Covington's minutes, while locking down both Murray and Young when matched up on either.

[KoryMac5]

Bucks went to the free throw line 9 times in the last 5 mins of their game vs Dallas...Mavs went 0...

Dallas also went cold in the 4th and Kidd waited too long on getting Kyrie back in the game but c'mon refs

[BuckeyeRed27]

Went to Cavs Nuggets tonight. I didn’t see a Cavs team without mitchell, Okoro and levert running Denver out of the stadium or the better Porter Jr playing for the home team.

Not sure there was much to be gleaned from it, other than the Cavs defensive effort on Joker was superb. Very fun game to go to though on a fun sports day for Cleveland.

[redsfan9988]

Rockets fan here…

JFC, it must be nice to have LeBron. Tie game with 4 seconds left… why even bother to inbound the ball? Just let LeBron shoot his foul shots. You know you’re calling a foul… no matter what. He can just dribble it out at half court and the refs will find a way to put him on the line.

Guy goes up for an out-of-control drive against 3 defenders and they call a foul… in a tie game with 4 seconds left… only LeBron…

“There must have been a foul, otherwise Mr. James would have scored the basketball.”

I hate it here…

[Betterread]

Rockets fan here…

JFC, it must be nice to have LeBron. Tie game with 4 seconds left… why even bother to inbound the ball? Just let LeBron shoot his foul shots. You know you’re calling a foul… no matter what. He can just dribble it out at half court and the refs will find a way to put him on the line.

Guy goes up for an out-of-control drive against 3 defenders and they call a foul… in a tie game with 4 seconds left… only LeBron…

“There must have been a foul, otherwise Mr. James would have scored the basketball.”

I hate it here…

You must have missed the fact that Dillon fouled him twice on that play. Pulled and held onto his jersey when he received the pass and hacked his wrist when he rose up to shoot.

[Mutaman]

[QUOTE=KoryMac5;4655034]Bucks went to the free throw line 9 times in the last 5 mins of their game vs Dallas...Mavs went 0...

/QUOTE]

Fake news. Bucks shot and made 7 free throws and Dallas shot and made 1. No biggie - 5 of the Bucks FTs were by Lilliard who attacked the basket at crunch time and drew fouls. has been happening for many years. Whereas the Mavericks were shooting long 3 pointers.

[texasdave]

It's good to be the home team. Rockets whistled for 25 fouls, the Lakers 13. Los Angeles shoots 29 free throws, Houston 10.

[M2]

Teams that should be feeling great about themselves - Minnesota, OKC, Sacramento (currently occupying 3 of the top four slots in the West), Orlando

There's a shift going on right now in the NBA. We probably need to wait until mid-season to see how it shakes out, but fans of these four franchises should be highly bullish.

I've still got some questions about each of them:

- Will KAT and Gobert be workable in the playoffs?
- Is OKC's 3P% leap for real?
- Are the Kings over-reliant on De'Aaron Fox?
- Will the Magic be undermined by a lack of shooting?

Yet some/most of them look like a new vanguard forming among the league's top teams.

On the flip side, the situation in Memphis is getting dire. They've got 12 more games until Ja returns and they're digging a hole too deep to escape from.

[Betterread]

Random PG thoughts:

- But have the Pels come up with an in-house PG answer in Dyson Daniels? He's big and he plays some pretty aggressive defense. He went 10/8/7, +12 in 33 minutes in a win over the Nuggets last night. He's got skills that can fill up a box score. So, while I'd have thought New Orleans might be the leading contender for a Russ trade, I do wonder if they're going to put their trust in Daniels.
Pelicans are balling right now. Daniels and Herb Jones are a great defensive backcourt for NO. Both are 6’7” and athletic. They made it tough for Ant and they shut down DeAaron Fox in consecutive games. If Zion stays healthy and McCollum and Murphy come back from injury to give BI some help, that team has a lot of talent.

[SteelSD]

Yeesh, Nic Batum literally threw that game away probably twice. Yeah, the game went to OT, but it was won by the Cavs the moment Darius Garland banked in a desperation three chuck with no time left on the shot clock in the fourth quarter. Sometimes you just get all the bounces. The good news is that I won't have to look at Philly's awful in-season tourney floor again this season. Good riddance.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Yeesh, Nic Batum literally threw that game away probably twice. Yeah, the game went to OT, but it was won by the Cavs the moment Darius Garland banked in a desperation three chuck with no time left on the shot clock in the fourth quarter. Sometimes you just get all the bounces. The good news is that I won't have to look at Philly's awful in-season tourney floor again this season. Good riddance.

That floor was brutal. It took me the entire first quarter for my eyes to adjust.

Cavs have something with Craig Porter Jr. He has really taken advantage of the Cavs injuries to put himself into a rotation spot. Love seeing the fight in this game after punking the Nuggets the other night with Mitchell, Okoro and Lavert all out again.

[M2]

Hawks beat the Pacers 157-152 in regulation. Both teams shot over 60%. Was this unofficially an ABA game?

[SteelSD]

Hawks beat the Pacers 157-152 in regulation. Both teams shot over 60%. Was this unofficially an ABA game?

I don't know what was wilder- the Hawks scoring 86 points in the first half, or the Hawks scoring 86 points in the first half and then losing.

[Assembly Hall]

Hawks beat the Pacers 157-152 in regulation. Both teams shot over 60%. Was this unofficially an ABA game?

You evidently are watching the wrong sports ticker.

[SteelSD]

That floor was brutal. It took me the entire first quarter for my eyes to adjust.

Cavs have something with Craig Porter Jr. He has really taken advantage of the Cavs injuries to put himself into a rotation spot. Love seeing the fight in this game after punking the Nuggets the other night with Mitchell, Okoro and Lavert all out again.

Well, if you take enough swings, eventually a Porter Jr. Has to work out, right? ;-)

[BuckeyeRed27]

Well, if you take enough swings, eventually a Porter Jr. Has to work out, right? ;-)

Yes hopefully this one stays way from guns and beating his girlfriend.

He is fun though. He gets into the lane and has a nice floater. Cavs really need a back up PG with Rubio being out (and also being old if he wasn’t out).

[RedTeamGo!]

Why are the Pistons so bad?

[BuckeyeRed27]

Why are the Pistons so bad?

Youth and a general lack of talent. Their usual starting lineup is all 20-22 year olds and guys like Cade are showing promise but they aren’t ready to win.

Their highest paid players (and they really aren’t that highly paid) are Bogdanovich and Joe Harris and both have been hurt.

[M2]

Why are the Pistons so bad?

Part of it is that so many other teams are good. Detroit, DC, Charlotte, Portland, San Antonio, Utah, Memphis (until it gets some guys back) and maybe Chicago are running into haymakers every night. They're middleweights fighting heavyweights. And those bad teams have a lot of 20+ ppg guys and solid role players and some depth. There isn't a single team in the bottom tier that couldn't theoretically be better, but teams like Atlanta and New Orleans (which are stacked) are in the play-in zone. Those are average (maybe even slightly below average) teams. The skill, length, athleticism and defensive ability in the league is off the charts. And if a good team wants to keep pace with the other good teams, then it's got to bank W's against the Piston. Detroit gets zero easy nights.

[SteelSD]

Why are the Pistons so bad?

Because they play like the ball is covered in acid.

[Revering4Blue]

Because they play like the ball is covered in acid.

Yup.

They are devoid of facilitators to supplement Cunningham - who really isn’t a true PG - with Monte Morris sidelined. And they have a glut of players whose natural position is center (I didn’t say they can all play center WELL), and their projected, currently sidelined SF (Bogdanovic) is best suited to play PF.

Time for Weaver to begin the asset-cycling process.


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[SteelSD]

That was terrible. No Embiid and clearly gassed from the OT game last night. Someone is going to have to explain the NBA scheduling to me. The Sixers have had three back-to-backs already, with four of their five losses occurring in two of them, with the T-Wolves game their 7th game over the last 11 days.

Thank goodness the T-Wolves announcers are decent though.

[BuckeyeRed27]

That was terrible. No Embiid and clearly gassed from the OT game last night. Someone is going to have to explain the NBA scheduling to me. The Sixers have had three back-to-backs already, with four of their five losses occurring in two of them, with the T-Wolves game their 7th game over the last 11 days.

Thank goodness the T-Wolves announcers are decent though.

Back to backs are miserable. Cavs got drilled from the tip against Miami. If you are gonna do them at least let the team be at home both games.

[Betterread]

Easy cruise control win for the Twolves. Sixers on a back to back second night after an overtime game and Embiid had soreness so he didn’t play. Ant dominated in his minutes. sixers played zone for the first quarter on. There’s a rumor that sixers wanted 10 free throws for Embiid even though he wasn’t playing and when they didn’t get that gift, they decided not to try.

[SteelSD]

Easy cruise control win for the Twolves. Sixers on a back to back second night after an overtime game and Embiid had soreness so he didn’t play. Ant dominated in his minutes. sixers played zone for the first quarter on. There’s a rumor that sixers wanted 10 free throws for Embiid even though he wasn’t playing and when they didn’t get that gift, they decided not to try.

Sometimes you just need to take a gift win and show a little class. Yeesh.

[Big Red Smokey]

Really enjoying this Twolves season. Gonna have to get up to Minny soon. The Indy-Cleveland road back to back is too far away

[Betterread]

Sometimes you just need to take a gift win and show a little class. Yeesh.

I’ll take any wins the twolves get. This is the best start to a season since the Garnett years.
One thing I learned about the sixers is how they draw fouls is elite. The fouls I saw were fairly given. Melton was confronted by Gobert in the paint twice and looked like he had no chance but drew fouls and made his free throws.

I have to commend Mike Conley’s play. He is a really good dribbler, with great handles and very quick change of direction. He is not a big scorer, but he makes a good percentage of open threes and a bunch seem to be at key points in the game. He knows when the team needs a basket and he gets situationally agressive.
If he gets hurt, the team will have a hole I don’t think they can fill.

[Todd Gack]

Not an NBA fan, but what Popovich did last night was really weird. WTF?

Very cringey.

[SteelSD]

Not an NBA fan, but what Popovich did last night was really weird. WTF?

Very cringey.

Yeah. I only saw the video clip, so I don't know if there was any type of disruption prior to that, but that kind of announcement is usually only done when the crowd is so unruly that it actually ends up halting play. I don't think that booing a guy who made a full heel turn on your franchise qualifies.

[KoryMac5]

Mavs tried to give one away last night up 20 headed into the 4th and if not for Kyrie being clutch in the last min they would be hanging an L...

Lively getting hurt on a lob play may have had something to do with that...he may be out for a bit.

Luka and Kyrie have been pretty much unstoppable if they could find a 3rd consistent scorer and some defense they would be ok...

Maybe a Dallas/Detroit trade might work for a big I know they thought about Drummond in Chicago and Capella in Atl.

As far as Pop goes he has been in Get off my lawn mode for like 15 years...

[KoryMac5]

Steve Kerr's rant is an all timer for me...

https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1727682707679756722

[Todd Gack]

Steve Kerr's rant is an all timer for me...

https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1727682707679756722

He's right.

[M2]

General question: can the Warriors be fixed and, if so, how? I'm guessing it would revolve around moving Andrew Wiggins.

[dubc47834]

General question: can the Warriors be fixed and, if so, how? I'm guessing it would revolve around moving Andrew Wiggins.

It revolves around Wiggins playing better and Green not being dumb!

[M2]

It revolves around Wiggins playing better and Green not being dumb!

I'm thinking they need a big who can give them some new wrinkles and Wiggins (or Klay) looks like the salary they'd need to move to make it happen. For instance, someone's probably getting Lauri Markkanen before the deadline. Grab some assets for Wiggins (e.g. from the Knicks) and maybe Golden State has the draft capital/young guys to make that happen.

[M2]

Heat had the Knicks down by 21 late in the 3rd and the Knicks came all the way back for the win. A team can ride a comeback like that for a week or two.

[Rojo Rijo]

Not trying to jinx anything but Orlando is cooking right now. 7 straight wins.

[M2]

Josh Giddey has got himself wound up in a Wander Franco situation.

[M2]

Battle of the basement tonight between the Wizards and Pistons.

Meanwhile, Joel Embiid is doing that thing he does when there's a top opposing center. Tonight it's bits of Anthony Davis he's picking out of his teeth. Embiid's 29-10-11 through three quarters.

[Mitri]

I'm thinking they need a big who can give them some new wrinkles and Wiggins (or Klay) looks like the salary they'd need to move to make it happen. For instance, someone's probably getting Lauri Markkanen before the deadline. Grab some assets for Wiggins (e.g. from the Knicks) and maybe Golden State has the draft capital/young guys to make that happen.

Knicks have waited this long. I hardly doubt they will cash in their chips for Wiggins.

Markannen would be interesting in NY, though. I think they still waiting on Mitchell to arrive.

[M2]

Knicks have waited this long. I hardly doubt they will cash in their chips for Wiggins.

Markannen would be interesting in NY, though. I think they still waiting on Mitchell to arrive.

I fear for the Knicks that you're right about Mitchell. Seems like a horrible fit for them. Markkanen would be great get for a lot of teams. He could vault a few teams into contention. Brooklyn could be a sleeper for Lauri Legend.

[SteelSD]

So, yeah. That was a brutal contest for the Lakers tonight in Philly. The Sixers went ahead big early, Embiid posted a 30-point/11-board/11-assist triple double while sitting the entire fourth quarter, and Tyrese Maxey pitched in 31 points and 8 assists. For the game, Philly hit 22 of their 46 three-point attempts and outscored LA 40 to 14 in the fourth to cruise to a 44-point win. Not much more to say.

[Revering4Blue]

General question: can the Warriors be fixed and, if so, how? I'm guessing it would revolve around moving Andrew Wiggins.

Markannen would be interesting. But he doesn’t help solve their remaining glaring weakness: Lack of rim-protection. The only roster member who provides a semblance of such is a rookie who hardly plays.

The West - and East, for that matter - are better equipped to hit them in their proverbial mouth than two years ago when they did it (Championship Run) with mirrors with said glaring weakness.


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[Betterread]

Sixers Crushed the Lakers. NICE. The Anthony Davis - Joel Embiid matchup started out interesting (with the help of two of the most ethereal fouls I have ever seen called on Embiid) but then Embiid did what he wanted with little resistance from Davis. So now AD oscillates between dominant/ competitive and passive/disengaged not only within a few games but even within a game. Lakers will complain about the free throw inequity because it seems crucial to their success. I hate teams that have that mentality.

[M2]

Markannen would be interesting. But he doesn’t help solve their remaining glaring weakness: Lack of rim-protection. The only roster member who provides a semblance of such is a rookie who hardly plays.

The West - and East, for that matter - are better equipped to hit them in their proverbial mouth than two years ago when they did it (Championship Run) with mirrors with said glaring weakness.

It is weird how they never grab a rim protector. I was thinking Markkanen because he'd be pretty lethal with their spacing and he'd give them some size/rebounding. IMO, what they really could use is a big who can distribute out of the high post - Sabonis, Vucevic four years ago, Sengun. Don't really see one of those. Though Pascal Siakam might be a sneaky good fit for them, and Toronto might be highly interested in Wiggins as a hometown guy.

[goreds2]

So, yeah. That was a brutal contest for the Lakers tonight in Philly. The Sixers went ahead big early, Embiid posted a 30-point/11-board/11-assist triple double while sitting the entire fourth quarter, and Tyrese Maxey pitched in 31 points and 8 assists. For the game, Philly hit 22 of their 46 three-point attempts and outscored LA 40 to 14 in the fourth to cruise to a 44-point win. Not much more to say.

Hope to see more games this year where Embiid can sit out 4th quarter via deciding wins. A fresh Embiid will obviously help in making an extended run in the playoffs.

[SteelSD]

Sixers Crushed the Lakers. NICE. The Anthony Davis - Joel Embiid matchup started out interesting (with the help of two of the most ethereal fouls I have ever seen called on Embiid) but then Embiid did what he wanted with little resistance from Davis. So now AD oscillates between dominant/ competitive and passive/disengaged not only within a few games but even within a game. Lakers will complain about the free throw inequity because it seems crucial to their success. I hate teams that have that mentality.

I didn't realize until I read about it this morning, but last night was the worst loss of LeBron's career. I know it's stupid, given that it was a somewhat pointless regular season contest, but it still makes me smile just a little bit.

[M2]

Reggie Jackson hung 35 pts and 13 assists on the Clippers in a road win for the Nuggets. DeAndre Jordan went 21-13. None of Jokic, Murray or Gordon played for Denver. The Clips had all of their main guys and melted down in the 4th quarter (36-16 in Denver's favor). All is not well in La-La Land.

[RichRed]

Battle of the basement tonight between the Wizards and Pistons.

Man, when you lose by 19 to the Wizards…well there’s no need to even finish that sentence.

[KoryMac5]

Cuban sold his majority stake of the Mavericks for 3.5 billion...the Adelson family are the buyers, they own Sands Casinos. Cuban will retain control of the team in the deal.

Remember he purchased them for 285 million in 2000.

It is rumored that Cuban is looking to leaver American Airlines Arena in downtown Dallas for a arena in the middle of a resort/casino. Partnering with Sands makes that an option now.

[WVRed]

Cuban sold his majority stake of the Mavericks for 3.5 billion...the Adelson family are the buyers, they own Sands Casinos. Cuban will retain control of the team in the deal.

Remember he purchased them for 285 million in 2000.

It is rumored that Cuban is looking to leaver American Airlines Arena in downtown Dallas for a arena in the middle of a resort/casino. Partnering with Sands makes that an option now.Is gambling still illegal in Texas?

This looks like it could work if a NBA team moved to Vegas, but they already have the TMobile Arena.

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[KoryMac5]

Is gambling still illegal in Texas?

This looks like it could work if a NBA team moved to Vegas, but they already have the TMobile Arena.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

yep illegal unless on Native Land...

Sands has been lobbying the gov the last few years to reconsider. Abotts office said they would be open to it if it was professionally done which leaves the door open for Sands.

[M2]

Fascinating bit of in-season tournament intrigue tonight. The Celtics had to win by at least 22 points to clinch 1st place in their group over the Magic. So they ran up the score against the Bulls and let Jaylen Brown cook for 36 minutes and won by 27. They're onto the quarterfinals, though the Magic are a leading wild card contender.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Fascinating bit of in-season tournament intrigue tonight. The Celtics had to win by at least 22 points to clinch 1st place in their group over the Magic. So they ran up the score against the Bulls and let Jaylen Brown cook for 36 minutes and won by 27. They're onto the quarterfinals, though the Magic are a leading wild card contender.

It was pretty fun watching the Cavs, Celtics, Knicks and Bucks/Heat. Point differential makes a lot more sense in soccer than in basketball, but it did lead to some good entertainment.

[M2]

It was pretty fun watching the Cavs, Celtics, Knicks and Bucks/Heat. Point differential makes a lot more sense in soccer than in basketball, but it did lead to some good entertainment.

So, right now, the Celtics, Bucks and Pacers are through and the Cavs have sprung into the wild card with a +29 thanks to 40 tonight from Donovan Mitchell. However, the Knicks are sitting at +18 and play the Hornets. If they win by 12 or more, then they take the wild card.

Big games are happening at this moment in the West. If the Kings can beat the Warriors, they're through to the playoff round. The Warriors would need to beat them by 12 to take over 1st in the group. Dubs have got Draymond back and they were up 17 at the half. The Timberwolves could finish tied with them both, but they're going to lose out on point differential. And the Pelicans clinched their group tonight when the Mavs beat the Rockets. The Lakers have won their group and the Suns have clinched the wild card.

[Mutaman]

So far I think this tourney is sort of foolish, particularly the way TNT is treating it. But have to admit that Giannis and the boys were playoff intense down the stretch tonight.
Lillard-as advertised.

[Big Red Smokey]

Another nice win for Minny. 13-4 now and have beaten
Philly
Denver
Boston
OKC
New Orleans x2
Golden State x2
New York
Miami

[goreds2]

76ers vs. Celtics Next Matchup Gets Bumped Into Primetime


With the Sixers’ rivalry against the Celtics still holding a lot of juice these days, ESPN has decided to give the game a bump into the primetime spotlight, removing the matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks.

On December 1, the Sixers and the Celtics will battle it out at 7:30 PM ET.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/76ers-vs-celtics-next-matchup-gets-bumped-into-primetime/ar-AA1kjqoU

[BuckeyeRed27]

So, right now, the Celtics, Bucks and Pacers are through and the Cavs have sprung into the wild card with a +29 thanks to 40 tonight from Donovan Mitchell. However, the Knicks are sitting at +18 and play the Hornets. If they win by 12 or more, then they take the wild card.

Big games are happening at this moment in the West. If the Kings can beat the Warriors, they're through to the playoff round. The Warriors would need to beat them by 12 to take over 1st in the group. Dubs have got Draymond back and they were up 17 at the half. The Timberwolves could finish tied with them both, but they're going to lose out on point differential. And the Pelicans clinched their group tonight when the Mavs beat the Rockets. The Lakers have won their group and the Suns have clinched the wild card.

The Knicks got the WC by running it up on Charlotte. They had the point lead coming in too. Cleveland ended up 13 points short.

[M2]

The Kings climbed all the way out of that 17-point hole to beat the Warriors, clinching their group. I can only assume that caused them to light the beam.

[M2]

Next week it's Boston at Indiana and New York at Milwaukee in the East with New Orleans at Sacramento and Phoenix at L.A. in the West.

[SteelSD]

Why do I just not care about this in-season tourney? Not even from day one. Not even a little bit. I just want to enjoy a basketball game without having my retinas singed by the garish court color schemes. I thought Phillys was bad, but Atlanta's made it seem like I was watching two teams play in a fishbowl.

Do not want.

[M2]

Why do I just not care about this in-season tourney? Not even from day one. Not even a little bit. I just want to enjoy a basketball game without having my retinas singed by the garish court color schemes. I thought Phillys was bad, but Atlanta's made it seem like I was watching two teams play in a fishbowl.

Do not want.

I liked Philly's court. It did a nice job with the stylized 76.

I think the tournament officially passed the test last night in that it became clear teams cared about it. Everybody who had a chance to make the playoff round took a real swing last night. Suddenly a whole bunch of teams were very concerned about running up the score in their wins. the Celtics were locked in for 48 minutes last night on a Tuesday in November. They have problems staying locked in for 48 in playoff games.

[Chip R]

Why do I just not care about this in-season tourney? Not even from day one. Not even a little bit. I just want to enjoy a basketball game without having my retinas singed by the garish court color schemes. I thought Phillys was bad, but Atlanta's made it seem like I was watching two teams play in a fishbowl.

Do not want.

Agree 100%. They are copying soccer and trying to make November/December games important. Guys who may sit out a game play because it's a tournament game. As M2 said upthread, the Celtics had to win by 22 last night. So instead of resting starters with a 30 point lead they had to play them to make sure they won by enough points. What if Jayson Tatum sprained his ankle in the 4th quarter? (I know you would hate that, SteelSD ;) ) Now he's out for a month and it hurts the Celtics playoff seeding. I wonder what the players got in return for allowing this tournament to happen?

[BuckeyeRed27]

Yeah I really liked it. The players very clearly cared and the games had more of a playoff intensity and it was fun to track other games you probably wouldn’t have cared about at all in October and November.

The courts are a little rough here and there for sure.

[M2]

Agree 100%. They are copying soccer and trying to make November/December games important. Guys who may sit out a game play because it's a tournament game. As M2 said upthread, the Celtics had to win by 22 last night. So instead of resting starters with a 30 point lead they had to play them to make sure they won by enough points. What if Jayson Tatum sprained his ankle in the 4th quarter? (I know you would hate that, SteelSD ;) ) Now he's out for a month and it hurts the Celtics playoff seeding. I wonder what the players got in return for allowing this tournament to happen?

I'd say in the case of the Celtics, the rare game where they don't blow a 20-point lead in 4 minutes is probably a good thing. If ever a team needed to practice putting away its opponents, it's Boston.

[Chip R]

I'd say in the case of the Celtics, the rare game where they don't blow a 20-point lead in 4 minutes is probably a good thing. If ever a team needed to practice putting away its opponents, it's Boston.

True that.

[Big Red Smokey]

Minnesota helped out by not getting the West WC, as their two makeup games are San Antonio and Memphis.

[Betterread]

Minnesota helped out by not getting the West WC, as their two makeup games are San Antonio and Memphis.

That works quite nicely. Two starters are currently out injured so a (relatively) light week will be appreciated. Need to win those two because after that week a very challenging 16 game stretch looms for the Twolves with Houston and LA Lakers the weakest opponents.

[SteelSD]

Embiid a late scratch due to illness, and the Pelicans are not a team you want to try to handle with no true rim protection. New Orleans played well while jumping out to a big lead at the end of the first. The Sixers eventually pulled the game within 8 points late in the fourth after trailing by as many as 27, I think. But by that time, the officials had ruined the game for Philly. Biggest pile of trash officiating I've ever witnessed, which was too bad because the Pels have a lot of talent, played hard throughout the night, and deserved the win without needing to play 8-on-5. On a side note, I was completely shocked by how empty that stadium was in New Orleans. Like, nearly "Move us to Seattle!" empty.

[M2]

On a side note, I was completely shocked by how empty that stadium was in New Orleans. Like, nearly "Move us to Seattle!" empty.

I think that team suffers from neglect. It's a side project for a football team owner. If someone bought the Pels and made it a more authentically New Orleans team (e.g a live band instead of piped in jock rock, killer food, a party atmosphere inside and outside the stadium), I feel like it could own that city. However, the local football team owner probably isn't interested in seeing that.

[Kingspoint]

Portland is so bad.

I understand they are missing their Top-3 PG's in Scoot, Simons and Brogdon. The signing of Bouyea seems like such a tanking move by Joe Cronin.

And, the "new leaf" that Jeremi Grant was showing with more energy on the Defensive end quickly came to an end. He actually tries to avoid rebounding the ball at all costs. All he does is shoot the ball. Sharpe has a lot of work to do on Defense.

Without Brogdon out there on the floor teaching these young guys how to play, it's left to Chauncey to teach them, and Billups clearly is clueless as a Head Coach. They will end up with the worst record in the NBA this season. I really can't see 25 wins for them, unless Brogdon somehow plays 50 more games on the season from here on out. I hope he does as they need his coaching. Every second on the bench he continues to coach the younger players. The Pacers got Aaron Nesmith for him, who's knocking down "3"'s at a 46% clip this season and has been a rotational player off the bench last season and this season. Nesmith is also shooting well from inside the arc. He's 6 years younger than Brogdon as a 30-year old just didn't fit into their timeline of competing, though a reunion to the team this season wouldn't be bad if Indiana decided to see how far they could go in the playoffs. Brogdon is still a better player than anyone on that team, including Haliburton (who can't play a lick of Defense) and Brogdon is more than willing to come off the bench being a team-player first and always. He'd be a perfect Veteran to add to that squad. Indiana also got the draft rights to Mojave King, a 2024 first round pick (from Oklahoma City via Denver), and cash consideration after trading the 2023 pick they got from Boston (that turned out to be Strawther).

Since Brogdon has the freedom to do whatever he wants from Chauncey, he should again put up Hall-of-Fame numbers per 100 possessions, just as he's done his entire career. This, with plenty of minutes in POR (if they don't sit him too often for tanking purposes), should net the Blazers a quality future 1st Round pick. His remaining contract of $22.5M next season should be an attractive commodity as he's showing no signs of age.

- - - Updated - - -

Defensive Game of the Season by Herb Jones last night.

What a difference having Brogdon back, along with Henderson instead of Mays. Bouyea got released, while Mays hasn't seen the floor since Henderson came back. Brogdon returned 5 games ago and needed that game to shake off the rust. Mays backed him up. Scoot returned the next night and pushed Mays into the bench permanently. Since that return, of these two, they've passed the ball and distributed to a point to where the Blazers get good looks at "3"'s....40%+ for four straight games after being below 30% for the season with Brogdon and Scoot missing most of that time. While Henderson has had only two good shooting halves in those four games, the 1st Halves of MIL and IND, he assisted well enough in all four games to be a contributing difference over Mays. His 2nd Half was bad against IND and MIL overall Defensively and Offensively, except for the distribution for others...he's getting basically 7 Assists off the bench per game. But, Grant has been inspired to play some Defense when Brogdon is in a game (4 Steals vs MIL/3 Blks vs IND).

They blew UTA out by 30 (until 5 minutes left in the game when Chauncey pulled his 1st and 2nd Stringers and UTA went with their 1st Stringers until the last whistle...must have been a tournament game). They led MIL by 26 and would have won that game if not for a horrendous New Jersey reversal of a call that stole the game from POR (it would have gone to OT) and handed a win to MIL. They beat IND and almost had the same New Jersey reversal take a win away from them (apparently it's legal to pull the Offensive player down by the shirt so you can make a block attempt on Sharpe), but POR prevailed with a great game-winner from Brogdon. Now, they just beat Cleveland handily. The consistent theme against all four opponents and all of them on the road except UTA was Defense.

UTA had only 83 points down 31 w/ 5:44 to go. Even with the late UTA garbage-time surge, POR held a 31-9 Points-off-of-Turnovers advantage for the game.

MIL had only 82 points down 13 w/ 8:00 to go. POR had 15 Steals in this game.

IND had only 95 points down 5 w/ 5:24 to go. This on a 2nd of a back-to-back after POR blew a 26-point lead the day before in MIL. They didn't get mentally down against the fastest pace team in NBA history.

CLE had only 95 points for the game. POR has been really good at getting Points off of Turnovers this season. 31 tonight vs. CLE. They lead the league in OPP Turnover Rate.

The key to the IND game was Toumani Camara picking up Haliburton full court from the opening tip-off. Haliburton still had a great game individually, but it didn't allow Haliburton to get others heavily involed in the flow as the flow was limited by Camara on many possessions. Camara didn't play as much in the 2nd half for as Chauncey wanted more of the deflections that Matisse Thybulle is able to generate, but Matisse was handled pretty easily by Haliburton in the 2nd Half when Thybulle guarded him, while Matisse didn't offer much resistance to him getting others involved with the 4th Quarter being IND's biggest scoring quarter of the night. Matisse was so beastly against MIL that Chauncey was trying to capture that on a back-to-back, plus Camara was gassed guarding Haliburton full-court the whole game on a 2nd of a back-to-back.

Haliburton was incredibly classy immediately after the game taking Camara aside and giving him a very long personal talk of encouragement. Unbelievable class by Haliburton. Tyrese was jarring at him during the game and had a good game, but was above and beyond class after the game with gracious praise and advice for the 2nd Round Rookie.

Toumani has mulitple All-Defensive Team honors in his future. Dayton fans should know him well.

While POR has a 50/50 chance every night of winning when Brogdon is leading the team (and I think he's going to hurry up the learning curve for Chauncey for every week he is on the court for the Trail Blazers), I really don't want POR winning very many games. They need a lot more talent that ages along with 2nd-year players Jabari Walker, Jr. (who has been a beast on the boards all season, and is really coming into his own with Brogdon the last 4 games) and Shaedon Sharpe (who is younger than the Thompson Twins and Shaedon had 29pts/10rbds tonight), along with Rookies Scoot Henderson, Kris Murray and Toumani Camara, and the newly acquired DeAndre Ayton (who needs about 10 more shots per night than he's getting, but their Offense is designed around transition baskets off of turnovers and points from Offensive Rebounds).

That group isn't likely to be having as teammates Malcolm Brogdon and Jeremi Grant, and Simons is just a scorer, and is a better PG than Mays, but that's not saying much. To Simons credit, if he buys into playing Defense, his value changes dramatically, and he did Opening Night. We'll see. A UCL tear (Bengals' fans know about this) of the thumb (been dealing with it myself for quite a number of years and it's gotten it's worse the last month) on the shooting hand hopefully fully heals for Simons.

While it's fun to watch with Brogdon any game, I don't want to win enough games to be anything better than the 4th worst team in the league at the end. Trading Brogdon at the trade deadline will ensure that, no doubt, as the team will not resemble anything like it has been the last four games and during the 3-game winning streak earlier in the year before Brogdon got hurt and POR went on a 7/8-game losing streak.

Simons looks like he might be back in 2-3 weeks. That usage rate of his will cut into Sharpe's and Henderson's playing time the most. It will also remove Defensively from the game both Matisse (who continues to shoot well from "3" for POR, as well as Grant since he's been here) and Camara. Walker will see less minutes in a trickle-down effect, too. So, team-wise, the addition of Simons should make the team much worse overall as the overall Defense will get a lot worse while Shaedon and Scoot won't be aggressive in their Offensive approaches (while both of them are still bad Defensively). So, we might start losing consistently again when Simons returns as Chauncey tries to balance out the minutes (these things always take care of themselves with injuries, but there's no growth if Scoot or Shaedon are injured, but they'll go into full tank-mode if Brogdon is injured, risking what return we would get for him at the trade deadline if he is). If we could move Simons, I'd love to keep Brogdon instead and have him continuing to mentor Chauncey and the rest of the team, specifically Scoot Henderson (Simons would teach him nothing but very bad habits), even if we could likely get a Top-10 protected 2024 1st Round pick for him or future Top-4 protected.

[Kingspoint]

- But have the Pels come up with an in-house PG answer in Dyson Daniels? He's big and he plays some pretty aggressive defense. He went 10/8/7, +12 in 33 minutes in a win over the Nuggets last night. He's got skills that can fill up a box score. So, while I'd have thought New Orleans might be the leading contender for a Russ trade, I do wonder if they're going to put their trust in Daniels.



He's been amazing. Really coincided with Zion's and Ingram's impacts on the team during this run without C. J.

With C. J. back and playing something like 26 minutes, it looks like his lung issue is going to cut quite a lot of minutes away from Daniels.

Don't think they can ignor the results though. Daniels will have to get 26+ minutes per night, somehow, while it wouldn't be a bad idea to limit C. J. to 26 minutes for the rest of the season.

[Kingspoint]

Interesting note...In last night's 126-116 win against Atlanta, Jaden Springer led the bench with 22 minutes. In the second half, he entered the game with 3:54 left in the third quarter and never left the floor again taking Covington's minutes, while locking down both Murray and Young when matched up on either.

It's nice to have options game to game to find out what's going to work against certain matchups, though Young and Murray are two completely different type of Offensive players. Making Young play Defense by forcing picks his way is the key to destroying the Hawks (what GSW have done against every team for the last 8 years, yet most teams fail to do this most of the time).

- - - Updated - - -


Well, if you take enough swings, eventually a Porter Jr. Has to work out, right? ;-)

I can think of about 7 or 8 of those types that they took swings with. The luxury of having the Joker as the foundation.

[Kingspoint]

Why are the Pistons so bad?

I can't figure it out. Thought Monty Wiliams would fix the problem. They are oozing with talent.

I believe it's that issue of losing too much that a franchise can't get it out of their system. You rotate out a few players and bring in more rookies...how is that supposed to help? HOU did it right with Brooks and Van Fleet and Udoka. HOU also hadn't been in the losing mode as long as DET has been. Having Brogdon leading POR makes all the difference in the world. Without him, they were geting blown out by 30 every game with the team including Chauncey, having no clue how to stop it.

[Kingspoint]

That was terrible. No Embiid and clearly gassed from the OT game last night. Someone is going to have to explain the NBA scheduling to me. The Sixers have had three back-to-backs already, with four of their five losses occurring in two of them, with the T-Wolves game their 7th game over the last 11 days.

Thank goodness the T-Wolves announcers are decent though.

Oddly, POR is 3-1 this year on back-to-backs and before tonight's win, they were 2-11 in non-back-to-backs. Just a coincidence because it all has to do with Malcolm Brogdon being healthy or not healthy (and Mays playing and not playing), but it's still interesting.

[Kingspoint]

Yeah. I only saw the video clip, so I don't know if there was any type of disruption prior to that, but that kind of announcement is usually only done when the crowd is so unruly that it actually ends up halting play. I don't think that booing a guy who made a full heel turn on your franchise qualifies.

But, Pop was right.

Used to piss me off repeatedly every time POR would boo someone like Raymond Felton or someone else they hated as something like that only makes any NBA player play harder and better. I mean every single time. It always had a reverse effect. Pop was tired of seeing it. I would have done it myself in POR many times if someone would have given me a mic. I think the casual game attendee doesn't get it as they want to do all they can during the few times the attend a game, but the regular season ticket holder knows better, or at least he/she should.

As far as Pop's comment calling it not classy. That's the pot calling the kettle black as Pops has done nothing but teach unclassy tactics to his team his entire career as a Coach. Who was better at flopping than the Spurs for three decades? Who argued and whined about calls to the refs more for two decades than Pops?

- - - Updated - - -


Steve Kerr's rant is an all timer for me...

https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1727682707679756722

I hate Kerr with a passion. It's interesting that ex-Pops' players that became Coaches whine even more than Pops did for two decades.

[Kingspoint]

General question: can the Warriors be fixed and, if so, how? I'm guessing it would revolve around moving Andrew Wiggins.

I'm hoping they finish with about the 10th worst record. POR has their 1st Round pick that is Top-4 protected. If they finish worse than 10th, then the odds get to great for my comfort of them getting a Top-4 pick.

- - - Updated - - -


Josh Giddey has got himself wound up in a Wander Franco situation.

He was 19 at the time, I believe, which is a lesson for all of you who turn 18....it's still against the law if the other person isn't 18 and you just never know....

[Kingspoint]

Reggie Jackson hung 35 pts and 13 assists on the Clippers in a road win for the Nuggets. DeAndre Jordan went 21-13. None of Jokic, Murray or Gordon played for Denver. The Clips had all of their main guys and melted down in the 4th quarter (36-16 in Denver's favor). All is not well in La-La Land.

That's the nastiest revenge game results I've ever seen.

[Kingspoint]

The Kings climbed all the way out of that 17-point hole to beat the Warriors, clinching their group. I can only assume that caused them to light the beam.

That shot by Monk was the best-game-winning shot I've ever seen, and I was at all of Dame's playoff-series clinchers and all of his other great clinchers (while also watching on TV live the one at Chicago). The degree of difficulty on Monk's shot is what makes it incredible. You can see he intentionally banked it while practically lying prone in the air on his back flying backwards. And, this after he made the clutchest of "3"'s to get them within 1 point seconds earlier.

What makes it greater is that it was Curry who threw the ball away so SAC could have possession and Monk could light the heavens with the beam. What a great win for the home crowd in Sacramento.

- - - Updated - - -


I liked Philly's court. It did a nice job with the stylized 76.

I think the tournament officially passed the test last night in that it became clear teams cared about it. Everybody who had a chance to make the playoff round took a real swing last night. Suddenly a whole bunch of teams were very concerned about running up the score in their wins. the Celtics were locked in for 48 minutes last night on a Tuesday in November. They have problems staying locked in for 48 in playoff games.

Tell the Warriors and Kings it wasn't important.

[Kingspoint]

POR is only 2 games behind the Warriors.

Strange.

[SteelSD]

Ok, so no Embiid, Maxey, Oubre, or Batum against Boston and I'm probably going to be forced to listen to Doris Burke.

Cover me boys, I'm goin' IN!!

[SteelSD]

Ok, so no Embiid, Maxey, Oubre, or Batum against Boston and I'm probably going to be forced to listen to Doris Burke.

Cover me boys, I'm goin' IN!!

Edit: Oh...maybe no Doris. So this game will likely still be like being handed a turd, but at least it might not be on fire.

[M2]

Edit: Oh...maybe no Doris. So this game will likely still be like being handed a turd, but at least it might not be on fire.

First half has been like Hagler-Hearns. De'Anthony Melton and Pat Beverly are playing out of their minds.

[SteelSD]

First half has been like Hagler-Hearns. De'Anthony Melton and Pat Beverly are playing out of their minds.

I'm watching the game, but acting like I'm not paying attention. Just finished wings from Popeyes (their new garlic/parm wings are amazing...remind me of Hooters wings), and bought a watch on eBay.

[SteelSD]

New rule. If you grab Pat Bev in the groin and throw him backwards, it's a foul on Pat Bev.

[M2]

New rule. If you grab Pat Bev in the groin and throw him backwards, it's a foul on Pat Bev.

Though, to be fair, if anybody would invent the move of leaping groin-first into someone's hand and then diving backwards, it would be Pat Bev.

[SteelSD]

Somewhere, Doris Burke weeps.

[SteelSD]

Though, to be fair, if anybody would invent the move of leaping groin-first into someone's hand and then diving backwards, it would be Pat Bev.

This is all true.

[SteelSD]

Sixers lose as expected. Tobias Harris. I'm looking at you. Garbage second half.

[Betterread]

Sixers lose as expected. Tobias Harris. I'm looking at you. Garbage second half.

I know on a stats and logic level Tobias Harris > Andrew Wiggins, but by watching them, they look pretty comparable. Tobias plays smarter but Wiggins is more athetic. Both of them are too deferential, but that also might be the teams they are on.

Jaylen Nowell is playing for his NBA survival with the Grizzlies on a temporary contract. He scored 19 points in 14 shots to help them upset Dallas by 14. Good luck Jay.

[M2]

Jaylen Nowell is playing for his NBA survival with the Grizzlies on a temporary contract. He scored 19 points in 14 shots to help them upset Dallas by 14. Good luck Jay.

No Luka tonight. Looks like the Grizz had a "stop Kyrie" gameplan. He went 3-15 and it was a pretty easy night. Would think Nowell would stick with Memphis. They need anyone who can play.

[texasdave]

Somewhere, Doris Burke weeps.

I doubt that, since I just UberEats delivered her TWO orders of garlic/parm wings from Popeyes. You and her have a lot in common. Just sayin'.

[KoryMac5]

No Luka tonight. Looks like the Grizz had a "stop Kyrie" gameplan. He went 3-15 and it was a pretty easy night. Would think Nowell would stick with Memphis. They need anyone who can play.

Yep they are a bottom feeder without Luka...Grant Williams has all but disappeared on the offensive side.

[SteelSD]

I doubt that, since I just UberEats delivered her TWO orders of garlic/parm wings from Popeyes. You and her have a lot in common. Just sayin'.

I can guarantee she arranged the wings on the plate to spell "TATUM" before eating them.

[M2]

Yep they are a bottom feeder without Luka...Grant Williams has all but disappeared on the offensive side.

Grant really is just a corner guy.

I'm not sure how Dallas assembled this roster around Luka. They've got shooters, but more dynamic forwards seems like such an obvious fit and they just never get them.

[KoryMac5]

Grant really is just a corner guy.

I'm not sure how Dallas assembled this roster around Luka. They've got shooters, but more dynamic forwards seems like such an obvious fit and they just never get them.

I think they are hoping O Max Prosper could be that guy but he is taking time to develop. They did hit on Lively at center who became the first player in NBA history to put up a stat line of at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks on 100 percent shooting as a teenager.

I do think Dallas will be active at the deadline to try and get another big wing...I have heard Issac from Orlando thrown around as a possibility.

[M2]

I think they are hoping O Max Prosper could be that guy but he is taking time to develop. They did hit on Lively at center who became the first player in NBA history to put up a stat line of at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks on 100 percent shooting as a teenager.

I do think Dallas will be active at the deadline to try and get another big wing...I have heard Issac from Orlando thrown around as a possibility.

Pascal Siakam would be a great fit for them.

[KoryMac5]

Pascal Siakam would be a great fit for them.

Toronto historically has been a tough team to trade with...but I agree.

[M2]

Toronto historically has been a tough team to trade with...but I agree.

I don't really get the Raptors. Seems like this past summer was the logical end of "meet our price because we can wait to get it later." Siakam, Anunoby and Trent are all chugging toward free agency on an 11th place team. They've almost backed themselves into no leverage.

[SteelSD]

Good job to Indiana, who just out-Celtics the Celtics late in the fourth.

[SteelSD]

I don't really get the Raptors. Seems like this past summer was the logical end of "meet our price because we can wait to get it later." Siakam, Anunoby and Trent are all chugging toward free agency on an 11th place team. They've almost backed themselves into no leverage.

Yeah, but a lot more players become tradeable (as either talent or salary-matching pieces) after December 15th, and quite a few additional players can't be moved or have their salaries aggregated in a deal until early to mid January 2024. For example, unless the Raptors are blown away by an offer prior to Jan 1st, if they believe the Sixers might have the best possible offer for a guy like Anunoby, it may be in their best interests to wait until Philly's newly-acquired aggregator-restricted Clippers trade pieces come available.

[M2]

Aaron Nesmith has exacted his revenge upon the Celtics.

[Assembly Hall]

Good job to Indiana, who just out-Celtics the Celtics late in the fourth.

Haliburton with a triple double. Tyrese is a dude.

[Kingspoint]

Bucks are 14-1 when Lillard scores 20 or more points.

[Mutaman]

If Robin Lopez had hit that last shot, Bucks would have scored at least 37 points in every quarter. Only time that's ever been done against the Knicks was that night in Hershey PA when Wilt had 100. March 2, 1962.

20630

[Kingspoint]

Great article on the Knicks.

Don't know if Grimes is spouting off publicly because Hart did so last week and it got Hart the results he was looking for....a higher usage rate. But, anyone who hangs around Thibs should know that public comments about usage time falls on deaf ears.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/12/knicks-grimes-expresses-frustration-with-role.html

https://nypost.com/2023/12/05/sports/quentin-grimes-airs-grievances-over-diminished-knicks-role/

December 6th 2023 at 12:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Knicks swingman Quentin Grimes has scored just 16 points in his past seven games and has gone scoreless in three of those outings, including Tuesday’s in-season tournament quarterfinal loss to Milwaukee.
Following a game in which he had four times as many personal fouls (4) as shot attempts (1), Grimes expressed some dissatisfaction with his role in the team’s offense, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.

“It’s just hard when you go the whole quarter without touching the ball, the whole second quarter without touching the ball, and then you get one shot and you got to make it,” Grimes said. “So it’s tough going out there and just standing in the corner the whole game. Then you got to make the shot when you shoot the ball one or two times per game. It is what it is.” As Bondy notes, Grimes’ only field goal attempt on Tuesday came in the third quarter. Shortly after that missed three-pointer, he was removed from the lineup and – for a third consecutive game – didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter. “It feels like if I don’t hit the shot, I’m coming out,” Grimes said. “So every shot I shoot probably weighs like 100 pounds if I don’t make it.”

Grimes started 66 games last season for the Knicks and is one of the team’s best defensive players. He was also a reliable part of the offensive attack in 2022/23, averaging 11.3 points per game with a .468/.386/.796 shooting line. This fall, he’s averaging just 5.8 PPG on .359/.345/.667 shooting and his usage rate has dipped to a career-low 11.7%. Grimes has started all 18 games he has played this season, and head coach Tom Thibodeau has lauded the 23-year-old’s defense, indicating that he likes his fit with the starting five. But Grimes’ minutes are down and playing alongside ball-dominant players like Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett means there are limited offensive opportunities for him. “I just know last year RJ missed a lot of games. Jalen missed some games. So I had the ball in my hands a little bit more. I knew I wasn’t coming out,” Grimes said. “I knew I was going to be in there and get more shots, play the whole first quarter, the whole third quarter. I knew I had opportunities to get the ball and get my shots up. Now it’s just a matter if the ball come my way, really.”

While Grimes’ teammates sometimes don’t find him when he’s open, the third-year wing could also benefit from being more active on offense, suggests Fred Katz of The Athletic, who notes that a player like Donte DiVincenzo constantly cuts and relocates when he doesn’t have the ball. Grimes could look to do more when his defender sags off of him, Katz writes.

Josh Hart registered some similar complaints about his own role last week and has been on a hot streak since then (13.0 PPG, .656 FG%), with his teammates ribbing him about his usage rate, according to Katz. The Knicks are hoping to get Grimes going too. “He has a hard job, a tough role,” Randle said. “But we’ve gotta do a better job of trying to get him better looks, make him feel more included for sure.” “He’s going to get the ball so sometimes when the confidence is low it seems like the end of the world,” Brunson added. “But as teammates we need to pick him up and make sure he gets back on track

[Kingspoint]

Two tidbits about the league from HoopsRumors about expansion and turning the NBA Draft into a 2-day event.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/12/adam-silver-talks-expansion-two-day-draft-more.html

December 6th, 2023 at 9:38am CST by Luke Adams

Appearing on SiriusXM NBA Radio on Tuesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the league intends to seriously weigh the possibility of expansion once it completes its next media rights deal. “Our current national deals with ABC, ESPN, and TNT go through the end of next season. And the reason we wanted to get those deals done, no secret, is we want to have a better understanding of what the economics would be going forward,” Silver explained (Twitter link via Keith Smith of Spotrac). “If you’re dividing up your national or international television money by 30 teams, that’s one check that you’re writing the teams. If it’s by – let’s say we expand by two teams – 32 teams, that’s a different one. And so you want to understand what the economics are you’d be delivering to new teams that came into the league.

“We’ll see what the timing is on those national television agreements. We don’t have to wait until the end of (next) season to get those done, but once we do, we’ll turn back to expansion.”




I know the sole reason to turn the draft into a 2-day event if for face-time for the league and that they could care less what the fans think, but I do think this is a great idea.

Unlike many, I love the 2nd Round and late 1st Round players. Every single season there are quality NBA players that are drafted in the last third of the 1st Round and throughout the 2nd Round. Very little time is spent on the late 1st Round selections and virtually no time at all is spent on the 2nd Round players, an injustice to the talent that's there to be discussed. With 30% of the talent in the NBA draft coming from players born outside the U. S. now and trending towards 50% in the not-too-distant future, fans here have little exposure to the players that will be drafted each season. This would be a great way to be introduced to many players who will end up making an impact in the NBA over their careers before their careers begin, give those of us who are interested in them a sneak-peak into their first court time during the Summer Leagues and pre-season games.

With attendance in November this season being at an all-time high at NBA arenas thanks to both the infusion of talent that's been added to teams that have struggled lately and the interest that's been generated by the in-season tournament, separating the 1st and 2nd Rounds will spark more interest towards fans wanting to see these new arrivals when they are most likely to get their first season's playing time...early in the season when Starters are still being paced for the long season ahead.

Of course, the analysts who are on-screen are going to have to do a lot better job than they have in the past regarding their coverage of the 2nd Round prospects and late first round prospects. I would give the Networks an "F" regarding their professionalism as sports journalists in this area so far. Every year they've just mailed it in and treated it like they're sitting in their backyards at a BBQ talking about the ins and outs of their neighbors, in other words, nothing but gossip they've heard and zero first hand knowledge of what they are talking about, especially any former NBA players with screen time.



After a report last month stated that the NBA is mulling turning its annual draft into a two-day event, Silver confirmed on Tuesday that the idea is under serious consideration, adding that the league just needs to work through the specifics with its broadcast partners and the players’ union (Twitter video link). “The talent goes so deep now and the interest is so great (that), to me, both rounds deserve prime time,” Silver said. “… To me it essentially seems like a no-brainer. … I’m hoping to get there, actually, for this season, for this June, and move the second round to its own night.”

[M2]

NBA Conspiracy Theory Test Alert:

Will the refs in Vegas go above and beyond to ensure a Lakers-Bucks final in the In-Season Tournament?

[Chip R]

NBA Conspiracy Theory Test Alert:

Will the refs in Vegas go above and beyond to ensure a Lakers-Bucks final in the In-Season Tournament?

Well, they let LeBron call a time out on a loose ball last night late in the game. Probably didn't have any effect on the outcome but...

[M2]

Well, they let LeBron call a time out on a loose ball last night late in the game. Probably didn't have any effect on the outcome but...

That's veteran know-how.

[Kingspoint]

Anfernee Simons is listed as Questionable tonight and has a great chance to suit up (Grant out with concussion) against the Warriors. Blazers have a huge incentive to win this game as they own Golden State's 2024 1st Round pick (top-4 protected, acquired in the Celtics trade). Brogdon's had back-to-back poor games (poor decision-making, sloppy with the basketball and possessions), so I'd like to see him get back on track against the Defensively opportunistic Warriors.

Brogdon has made Ayton disappear lately, not involving him at all at the Offensive end, while the entire team was reading their press-clippings going into last game where they gave up passing the basketball and settled for 3-point shots. I expect that to change against the Warriors' rim-protection-challenged Defense and that the Blazers will look to get Ayton 16 shots tonight, something doable with Grant out (while Simons should take most of Grant's shots, he's more likely to involve others in some Offense, especially dish-offs to Ayton on drives to the basket).

Toumani Camara continues to be the best player on the Blazers, dominating the opposing team's point-of-attack and taking away much of their Offensive sets when he's on the ball. Portland has been switching Defensively for the most part, so teams are trying now to move Camara off the ball with multiple picks every single possesion. Sometimes Camara is able to move above the screen, but whenever the refs let a pick player illegal move the screen without calling an Offensive foul, he's been less able to move over the screen and the switch gets made. Then the opposing team has a much easier time getting an entry pass into the paint or to an open player. Simons would have cut into Camara's time on the floor (moving Sharpe to more of the "3" minutes), but with Grant likely to miss tonight and Friday's matchup, Toumani should get solid minutes for two more games, at least. Going to be great watching him guard the ball against both Irving and Doncic on Friday, in addition to Wiggins and Paul tonight.

When Camara is not on the floor, Mathreese Thybulle has been in for all of those minutes (sometimes they are on the floor at the same time), while Matisse has played most of the closing minutes of the 4th Quarter (big mistake by Chauncey as Camara is so much better in so many aspects of the game...Camara is a Closer, clutch both Defensively and Offensively). Chauncey loves Matisse's league-leading deflection-rates, but the cost is so high. It's like judging a Defenive End's production rate based soley on Sacks, while ignoring total pressures and his Run Defense. In Matisse's Helter-Skelter style of play that he's implored since he was in Grade School and refuses to change, it's true that he disrupts a lot of plays with Steals and deflections, but he's constantly out of position Defensively, and once a team starts swinging the ball around, the entire Blazers' Defense is left scrambling for the remainder of the possession resulting in an open look for the opponent. It's actually extremely poor Defense that Thybulle plays, but that's on Chauncey for not reigning him in somewhat. It wouldn't be bad and could be a great spark if it was for 5 minutes per half and not during the closing 5 minutes of the game, but it's really poor judgement by Chauncey in my opinion. I'm hoping that Simons' minutes will reduce Thybulle's minutes by the greatest percentage of any player losing time on the floor.

Thybulle's Australian-team teammate, Diop Reath (the Aussie team benched Thybulle because they felt he was allowing teams to pack the paint against Reath and not guard Matisse around the arc) is the only Blazer with a positve Plus/Minus on the season. He came in as an outstanding 3-point shooter and he's shown that to be true so far this season. The energy on the floor when it's a front-line of Jabari Walker, Jr./Reath/Mattisse or Camara often has better production in a game when Grant (who is shooting fantastic on the season, and has been inspired to play better Defense because of Camara's, Scoot's and Matisse's efforts)/Ayton/Camara or Matisse. He wasn't going to get much playing time this season, but with Robert Williams III's season-ending surgery, he vaulted himself into the backup role by outplaying Moses Brown during the pre-season and early part of the regular season before Williams' latest injury occurred. He's run with it and now owns the backup spot at Center and it's going to be a good battle next season between him and Robert Williams to see who gets the backup Center position. I'm guessing they both play equal minutes in different capacities as injuries always seem to take care of minutes on teams' rotation issues. There's two Wild Cards for next season (three if there's the miniscule chance that Grant gets traded, but it's highly unlikely with that terrible contract), and that's the breakout 3rd season of Jabari Walker, Jr., who has been finding consistency on both ends of the floor with the increased playing time he's earned as the result of Williams' injury (season-ending surgery was an easy decision for the team as it needed minutes for Walker, Camara, Reath and Kris Murray (who is likely still going to be limited to less than 400 minutes on the season, possible less than 250 minutes, but about 600 minutes with the G-League team). Jabari is one of the Top-10 Rebounders in the league per minute played since he entered the league. He was a dominant rebounder in college and that trend has continued on the NBA floor. He's shown that he can be a good floor communicator, ball-mover, screener, 3-point shooter, while adding a degree of toughness the team needs on the floor that they don't get with Grant or Matisse.

The other Wild Card will be the 1st Round selection we make in 2024, a likely Top-7 pick, and possibly Top-4 pick. That player is going to need playing time on the front-court next season and it's not likely to come at the expense of Camara (now a foundation player along with Shaedon, Scoot and Ayton) or Ayton. With Grant unlikely to be traded, Portland will have a logjam on the front-court, but with the likely move of Brogdon, minutes could open up in the backcourt for Camara to play some there. He already Guards the ball-handler every game Defensively, and that highly successful strategy should continue.

[Kingspoint]

The NBA needs to be calling the flagrant calls when they occur instead of letting Star players get away with doing them.

LeBron's intentional elbow to the jaw of Nurkic was a game-changing moment, just as Devon Booker's two-handed slap to the head of Cam Reddish was a game-changing moment. In both instances, had the flagrant foul been called, the swing in both points and momentum would have changed the game dramatically at the time.

[Kingspoint]

The NBA will do anything they can to try to find a silver lining with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Analysts from ESPN spouting off about "This is the Anthony Davis we've been waiting to see....a dominating inside presence like he was against the Suns".

Dominating? He missed 16 of his 26 shots, couldn't get himself to the free-throw line even though he took an extremely high percentage of the Lakers' shots, while the rim blocked him on a wide-open dunk attempt.

[Kingspoint]

The loaded Houston Rockets simply can't display all of their talent for the NBA fans to experience.

The case of Cam Whitmore is an example.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/12/rockets-notes-whitmore-thompson-sengun-udoka.html

December 5th 2023 at 1:04pm CST by Luke Adams

It was a big offseason for Cam Whitmore, who was named the Summer League MVP in Las Vegas, then was voted the biggest steal of the 2023 draft by NBA general managers. However, the rookie forward hasn’t been part of the Rockets‘ rotation this fall, logging just 32 total minutes in five appearances at the NBA level. Whitmore has seen more action in the G League for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston’s G League affiliate. In six games as a Viper, the 19-year-old has put up 24.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per night with a shooting line of .486/.431/.786. While the scoring numbers are impressive, the Rockets have been even more encouraged by Whitmore’s assist totals, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required), who notes that the youngster only had 19 assists in 26 college games at Villanova. Head coach Ime Udoka said the team liked what it saw from the rookie in several other areas too.

“He did well,” Udoka said of Whitmore’s G League play. “He had numbers, obviously. But it’s not really the scoring. It’s shot selection, improvement on defense, recognition. They do the same schemes that we do.
“One thing about the G League, people go down there to score; it doesn’t always translate to the NBA. You’re not always going to get those same looks or other things. It’s how you blend in with the team and the scheme. When you’re getting a lot of time as a young guy, I think it’s invaluable to go down there to … play. We’re looking at everything, from understanding game plans, coverages and everything we don’t get a chance to work on daily.” Whitmore was one of four Rockets sent to the Vipers on Tuesday, along with fellow first-rounder Amen Thompson and two-way players Jermaine Samuels and Nate Hinton. Thompson is recovering from an ankle injury and Feigen suggests (via Twitter) that playing with the Vipers may be the next step in his return for the NBA club. Rio Grande Valley has three games in four days beginning on Wednesday.


Rockets center Alperen Sengun has put up All-Star caliber numbers, averaging 21.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 5.5 APG through his first 17 games this season. However, he’ll face tough competition as a frontcourt player in the Western Conference, so his case would be strengthened if the Rockets – who have lost six of their last eight games – can reverse their recent slide and remain in the thick of the West’s playoff race, Feigen writes for The Houston Chronicle (subscription required).


The Rockets’ loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles on Saturday night wasn’t the team’s finest hour. As Kelly Iko of The Athletic details, Ime Udoka was ejected following a verbal altercation with LeBron James, while Dillon Brooks ripped the officiating after the game, referring to them as a “terrible group” of referees. Still, if the team emulates Udoka’s intensity and “don’t get punked” attitude going forward, the game could prove beneficial, according to Feigen (subscription required). “We’re trying to imitate our coach,” Jabari Smith Jr. said. “That’s who he is. That’s how he is. We’re trying to be like that.”

[Big Red Smokey]

Another grimy win for Minny tonight. Thank God for Rudy. Ant def rusty but took care of another bad team.

16-4. Memphis next.

[M2]

Joel Embiid with a 50-13-7 night. I feel like that's good.

[Revering4Blue]

NBA Conspiracy Theory Test Alert:

Will the refs in Vegas go above and beyond to ensure a Lakers-Bucks final in the In-Season Tournament?

Likely won’t be necessary, at least for the East final. The Bucks seem to have the Pacers number, even if the Pacers are healthy and the Bucks depleted.

The Pelicans have been a different team with Murphy and Alvarado. And I am still wondering what the Memphis Brass were smoking when they engineered the deal that sent Valanciunus to New Orleans, and that was even before Steven Adams was lost for the season.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[SteelSD]

Joel Embiid with a 50-13-7 night. I feel like that's good.

It had to be, because other than Embiid, Philly put up the worst defensive performance I can recall. Blow by after blow by and three after unguarded three from the Wizards, who shot 56% from the field (40% from three). Offensively, the Sixers threw up brick after brick from beyond the arc in the first half, starting 0-for-13 from three, and went into the half with two three-pointers- the second on a half court bomb at the buzzer from Maxey. Tobias Harris and the entire bench, except Oubre, no showed. Yeah, Philly won because Embiid was unguardable, but that was a pretty dismal performance overall from the Sixers.

[Mutaman]

Three announcers on an NBA game is one too many. Particularly when all three are just so desperate to hear themselves talk.

[M2]

Indiana put the Bucks away late in the game. Too much size on the perimeter. The Pacers feel like a team that's finding itself.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Indiana put the Bucks away late in the game. Too much size on the perimeter. The Pacers feel like a team that's finding itself.

Halliburton has arrived. He put the game away almost by himself.

[dubc47834]

Pacers are gonna win this tournament. I don't think the Lakers can score with them. Haliburton is that dude right now!

[Chip R]

Halliburton has arrived. He put the game away almost by himself.

This tournament is his coming out party.

So, the Lakers are in the IST final. Will the refs play it straight or do they help the Lakers out?

[texasdave]

Tonight will witness the 4th meeting of the season between the Nuggets and the Rockets.

[Betterread]

Houston is up by 22 in early 4th Q v Denver. When they win, they will have taken 3 of 4 from the champs. Impressive
OKC just beat the Curries for the 3rd win of 4 this year. GS had 29 TOs and had a three point lead with 9 sec left and lost. It’s early, but GS has to change Rotations and minutes A LOT.

[M2]

Some words about some bad teams.

The Pistons are playing like they never intend to win again. A 2-80 season seems like an impossibility, but if anyone can do it, it's these guys.

The Raptors lost on the road to the Hornets to fall to 9-13. There is no reason to keep this team together. It's not building toward anything. Whatever this post-Kawhi run was, it's over.

The Hawks got outclassed by the Sixers. It wasn't that long ago Atlanta beat Philly to go to the conference championships. It's all gone sour since then. They're 9-12 and hovering just in front of the Raptors. The only prescription for what ails them is dynamite.

[Big Red Smokey]

Edwards re-aggrevated hip pointer but Wolves just murked a Memphis team who had been playing better. JJJ may be the worst DPOY in league history

[Assembly Hall]

Go Pacers!

[KoryMac5]

Kyrie looks like he might be out for a bit Dwight Powell fell and landed on his leg...he did hit both FT's before limping off the court. MRI today.

Dante Exum who worked on his shot in Europe gave the Mavs some good mins.

[dubc47834]

Pacers are gonna win this tournament. I don't think the Lakers can score with them. Haliburton is that dude right now!

I was wrong!!!

[Assembly Hall]

I was wrong!!!

Gawd, I really hate the Lakers.

[dubc47834]

Gawd, I really hate the Lakers.

I used to love the Lakers. I follow players more than I do teams and I was a huge Kobe fan. I do think LeBron is a great player, and top 5 all time. I'm just not a fan of his me me me attitude. Haven't really rooted for the Lakers since.

[M2]

On Bill Simmons' latest podcast, he was talking about all sorts of negative vibes emanating from Giannis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqOQK6xWihQ). I guess he's sitting off to the side during timeouts and looking generally miffed at his own team. Maybe it was a one-game thing. That can happen, though it would depend on what burr was in his saddle. If it was Adrian Griffin, then Adrian Griffin is still the coach. If it's that Dame and Malik Beasley can't stop opposing guards, that's not going to change. He's having a monster season, but he's always been a team-oriented guy.

So this might be something to keep an eye on as the season progresses. There's zero chance he's going anywhere during the season, but if he's truly unhappy then he could be next summer's biggest prize.

[KoryMac5]

Kyrie heel contusion probably out 7-10 days

[M2]

Kyrie heel contusion probably out 7-10 days

It's Kyrie. Multiply that by at least 3.

[Mutaman]

On Bill Simmons' latest podcast, he was talking about all sorts of negative vibes emanating from Giannis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqOQK6xWihQ). I guess he's sitting off to the side during timeouts and looking generally miffed at his own team. Maybe it was a one-game thing. That can happen, though it would depend on what burr was in his saddle. If it was Adrian Griffin, then Adrian Griffin is still the coach. If it's that Dame and Malik Beasley can't stop opposing guards, that's not going to change. He's having a monster season, but he's always been a team-oriented guy.

So this might be something to keep an eye on as the season progresses. There's zero chance he's going anywhere during the season, but if he's truly unhappy then he could be next summer's biggest prize.

With all due respect, if I want to know what's going on with the Bucks, Bill Simmons is not exactly my go to guy. Plus, Giannis is signed through 2027-2028.

[Mutaman]

"Griffin took him out, and the guy comes in," Bill added. "... And he was pissed, and he walked out. Griffin was at half court. Every time a player walks by the coach, they do the slap, five, or whatever. It was just fu*king walked by him, just silence. "


"Every time a player walks by the coach, they do the slap, five, or whatever"

Bill Simmons

What planet is Simmons on?

[M2]

With all due respect, if I want to know what's going on with the Bucks, Bill Simmons is not exactly my go to guy. Plus, Giannis is signed through 2027-2028.

Simmons was sitting courtside right next to the Bucks' bench and watching it happen. And it wasn't just one thing. Might have been a bad day at the office, but it wasn't nothing. In his post-game remarks, Giannis openly stated players weren't putting in enough effort and they were making sloppy plays to close out games. I'll agree it's nothing that ought to concern anyone if it doesn't continue. However, if he continues to show and talk about his frustration with the team, then it becomes a big something.

[KoryMac5]

It's Kyrie. Multiply that by at least 3.

Maybe so it looked super painful at the time how he got up and made both FT's is beyond me.

So far he's been a model citizen in Dallas...

[Mutaman]

Simmons was sitting courtside right next to the Bucks' bench and watching it happen

There may be problems in Milwaukee, but Celtics fanatic Bill Simmons gleefully pointing out that Giannis did not hi-five Griffin when being substituted out is not evidence of anything.

[M2]

There may be problems in Milwaukee, but Celtics fanatic Bill Simmons gleefully pointing out that Giannis did not hi-five Griffin when being substituted out is not evidence of anything.

If you watch the clip, he wasn't that gleeful. Simmons is a Giannis stan. He's been pretty complimentary of the Bucks over the years, probably because everyone loves Giannis.

Yet rather than go back and forth about Bill Simmons' motives, let me ask whether you think anything is off about the Bucks.

[M2]

Jamal Murray's back tonight, and his welcome back present is he gets to chew on Trae Young. It's wild how lopsided that matchup is in favor of the guy who's never been and All-Star or All-NBA.

[texasdave]

Have the Clippers figured out? They are well on their way to their fifth win in a row. They are leading Sacramento 70-46 with a minute to go in the first half.

[M2]

Have the Clippers figured out? They are well on their way to their fifth win in a row. They are leading Sacramento 70-46 with a minute to go in the first half.

If they finish off this game, they'll be on a 9-3 run. Yet this smacks of being a tease. Once people start to believe that maybe the Clips have put it all together, they'll rip the rug out from under everyone's feet.

[Big Red Smokey]

Draymond Green may need some professional help.

[Stray]

Dray needs to sit for 15+ games. He's embarrassing to the league.

[Big Red Smokey]

Draymond suspended indefinitely

[M2]

Draymond suspended indefinitely

It would make sense to require him to undergo a counseling program.

[Revering4Blue]

If you watch the clip, he wasn't that gleeful. Simmons is a Giannis stan. He's been pretty complimentary of the Bucks over the years, probably because everyone loves Giannis.

Yet rather than go back and forth about Bill Simmons' motives, let me ask whether you think anything is off about the Bucks.

Obviously not Mutaman. But I will take a stab at this. Their rotation has been weakened by the absences of Crowder and Connaughton.

Crowder would push Beasley to the second unit, which would give the unit a lift (along with Connaghton), assuming either Giannis or Lopez are on the floor to provide rim protection.

No one had the likes of AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. as significant bench elements on their bingo card.


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[BuckeyeRed27]

Ho hum night for Giannis

[RiverRat13]

It would make sense to require him to undergo a counseling program.

Actual counseling or Deshaun Watson "counseling" to check the PR box off? Because if it's the former, I don't see how any true behavioral change will happen without months of it and he shouldn't be allowed back on the court until then.

[M2]

Obviously not Mutaman. But I will take a stab at this. Their rotation has been weakened by the absences of Crowder and Connaughton.

Crowder would push Beasley to the second unit, which would give the unit a lift (along with Connaghton), assuming either Giannis or Lopez are on the floor to provide rim protection.

No one had the likes of AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. as significant bench elements on their bingo card.

That would all definitely help, yet I wonder if Giannis believes in the team behind him. It's great when he scores 64. I'm curious about the zeitgeist of the team when he's not in god mode.

- - - Updated - - -


Actual counseling or Deshaun Watson "counseling" to check the PR box off? Because if it's the former, I don't see how any true behavioral change will happen without months of it and he shouldn't be allowed back on the court until then.

I'd hope for the latter, but it probably would be more like the former.

[Mutaman]

yet I wonder if Giannis believes in the team behind him. It's great when he scores 64. I'm curious about the zeitgeist of the team when he's not in god mode.

\

He said "zeitgeist".
Anyhow, who you going to believe, Bill Simmons or the fellow from Crenshaw High:


Elder Marques Johnson
@olskool888
Dec 12
Disagree, totally. Definite defensive issues to continue to clean up. Been watching this staff regularly in practice. Collection of very bright basketball minds. They will figure it out after this period of adjustment. May need additional pieces

LMT
@crewsin1234
Dec 12
Replying to @olskool888 @Bucks
Come on Marques be real, this Bucks team is not good. They are awful defensively. They are lazy, they lack effort. Griffin is in over his head.

[SteelSD]

Bucks/Pacers. Oh, the nonsense...

Early, Giannis, for whatever reason, decides he needs to throw an elbow after a Tyrese Haliburton dunk, sending Haliburton to the ground. It's called a "physical taunt". No. That's a Flagrant 1, bordering on a Flagrant 2. Way later, Aaron Nesmith wraps up Giannis on a drive. Giannis spins and goes to the ground while Nesmith hangs on. Cue Bobby Portis, who jumps in all crazy-like, because that's what Bobby Portis do, while Thanasis does the "Let me at 'em!!" chicken dance on the sideline. Flagrant 1 on Nesmith. Tech on Portis. Fair. Shortly after that, Portis, who is the beneficiary of a marginal call, pulls his second tech and gets ejected, because again, that's what Bobby Portis do.

Giannis goes on to score 64 points. Pacers rookie Oscar Tshiebwe scores one point, which happens to be his first NBA point. So the Pacers grab the game ball for him. Fair. Well, except that Giannis wants it. Badly. So badly that he confronts Pacers players and staff on the sideline before running into the tunnel with a cadre of teammates, apparently getting into a scuffle that results in the Pacers GM getting elbowed in the ribs. Because clearly, getting the game ball for Giannis couldn't possibly be handled in a professional manner by the two teams staffs a bit later in the evening. Then Giannis fields a question at the post-game press conference, giving a response that I can only describe as bordering on the infamous Allen Iverson "We're talkin' 'bout practice!" presser. Apparently, Giannis wanted the game ball, and got the game ball, but it's not the real game ball, because he plays 35 minutes a night, so he knows, and it's important because he wanted it for Lillard because threes and he's great, and you should appreciate greatness, not for himself, or whatever.

Somewhere in the distance, a ladder laughs. I mean, what the actual hell is going on in Milwaukee?

[dubc47834]

What's everyone's thought on the game ball issue from the Bucks-Pacers game? I think if the Pacers truly were giving the game ball to the rookie who scored his 1st career point, then so be it. Also, each game there are 3 game balls, so why couldn't Giannis be happy with one of the 3? I like Giannis, but this sounds like him being pretty petty. If the game was in Milwaukee, then the Bucks should take care of him, but the Pacers have a responsibility to their own player first, not a superstar on the other team.

[SteelSD]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sPvbwQmVZ0&t=8s&ab_channel=TopAllSports

I normally hate Le Batard, but this video is great.

[KoryMac5]

What's everyone's thought on the game ball issue from the Bucks-Pacers game? I think if the Pacers truly were giving the game ball to the rookie who scored his 1st career point, then so be it. Also, each game there are 3 game balls, so why couldn't Giannis be happy with one of the 3? I like Giannis, but this sounds like him being pretty petty. If the game was in Milwaukee, then the Bucks should take care of him, but the Pacers have a responsibility to their own player first, not a superstar on the other team.

Carlisle said the same thing in his press conference...

Cuban said if it had happened in Dallas the ball would have went to the rookie...seems like Giannis is in the minority on this one.

[Mutaman]

Cuban said if it had happened in Dallas the ball would have went to the rookie...seems like Giannis is in the minority on this one.

Well if Cuban says so, that settles everything. His opinion is even more significant than Bill Simmons'.

[SteelSD]

20694

The Hornets fielded a M.A.S.H. unit tonight. The lead got as high as 53 with 3 minutes left and finished there. Embiid waltzed to 42 points and 15 boards in 30 minutes and sat out the 4th quarter for the ninth time this season.

[KoryMac5]

Well if Cuban says so, that settles everything. His opinion is even more significant than Bill Simmons'.

What's insane is this happened on home court...everyone in the organization (coach/gm/assistants) knew that he had eclipsed the record. As soon as he broke Redds record they should have called a time out and gave him the ball. Good org. plan for this type of thing.

[KoryMac5]

In the 3rd quarter Doncic has 35+ pts he now has the franchise record for most 35 pt games in Dallas history at 79 passing Nowitzki. He's also just 24...get that man the game ball.

[Kingspoint]

Toumani Camara has another outstanding defensive performance tonight.

He played most of his minutes shadowing Curry all night, ending Steph's 268-game streak of making at least 1 3-pointer. He held him to 7 points, in fact. Curry had some excellent Assists, though.

Though the Blazers didn't draft him, Toumani was one of 6 players involved in their first pre-draft workouts in Portland. They've had their eye on him since he was in Europe as a teen-ager, with one of their staff having worked with him over there at the time. The Blazers instead drafted Rayan Rupert of France with the 43rd pick, hoping that Camara would not be drafted and they would be able to get him signed as an undrafted player, but PHO took him with the 52nd pick (5th from last), so there was some relief there as POR had been engaged with PHO for awhile regarding a swapping of Nurkic and Ayton. POR had to include Grayson Allen from MIL and Nassir Little in order to pry Camara away from the Suns. PHO stated at the time of the trade that they hated losing Camara most of all.

Camara's talent has allowed Billups to employ a full-court press, one employed far more often than any team in the NBA since they began tracking the stat 11 seasons ago. The most any team has ever applied full-court pressure for an entire season was an average of 14 times per game. With Toumani's Superior Defensive talents, they've been averaging full-court pressure an average of 30 times per game. While Camara is by far the only Blazer who is extremely effective at it, and there isn't anyone he's gone up against where he hasn't gotten into their head, Scoot Henderson applies full court pressure often to help irritate the opponents and limit the time they have left on a shot-clock. Matisse Thybulle (top 4% in the NBA in Deflections while shooting 40%+ from 3 on 3.9 Att/game, and also in the top of the league in Steal Rate) assists quite a bit doing this as does Shaedon Sharpe. Even Jeremi Grant occasionally contributes.

This weekend was the first look fans have had at a healthy lineup this season (minus Robert Williams III, out for the season). Chauncey is sticking with Simons and Sharpe to Start at Guard with Brogdon and Henderson coming off the bench. Duop Reath is out of the rotation as Jabari Walker, Jr. is backing up DeAndre Ayton at Center and also backing up Jeremi Grant at PF, while Matisse comes in for Camara at the "3". There's a lot of scoring, but the Defense has been poor at the rim quite a bit. When Camara is not in the game, the Defense suffers a lot.

- - - Updated - - -

And that was really classless of the Pacer organization for not giving Giannis the "real" game-ball.

Sets up a great playoff series, though, should they meet, and it now seems destiny is going to make it happen.

[SteelSD]

And that was really classless of the Pacer organization for not giving Giannis the "real" game-ball.

As it turns out, there's video of an official handing it to the Bucks' staff member, who turned it over to another Bucks staff member. The Bucks had the "real" game ball the entire time. What Giannis saw was a reserve game ball given to the Pacers, was told by a staff member that the team already had the game ball, but he continued to flip out anyway. For no reason. There was a bunch of "classless" going on, but it wasn't the Pacers.

[dubc47834]

As it turns out, there's video of an official handing it to the Bucks' staff member, who turned it over to another Bucks staff member. The Bucks had the "real" game ball the entire time. What Giannis saw was a reserve game ball given to the Pacers, was told by a staff member that the team already had the game ball, but he continued to flip out anyway. For no reason. There was a bunch of "classless" going on, but it wasn't the Pacers.

I saw the same video. The guy ran out to the court and grabbed the ball. Giannis still doubled down on all this, also no apology. He is being super petty over this whole thing. Talk about being classless!!!

- - - Updated - - -




- - - Updated - - -

And that was really classless of the Bucks organization for not giving Giannis the "real" game-ball.

Sets up a great playoff series, though, should they meet, and it now seems destiny is going to make it happen.

Fixed it for ya!

[Rojo Rijo]

I saw the same video. The guy ran out to the court and grabbed the ball. Giannis still doubled down on all this, also no apology. He is being super petty over this whole thing. Talk about being classless!!!

Yeah this whole thing has firmly put Giannis on my list of unlikeable players.

[Rojo Rijo]

Orlando tumbling a bit, a weekend in Boston results in 0-2, both losses by 17.

In a road heavy month (8/6 A/H) we've taken Ls at Brooklyn, at Cleveland, and at Boston x2.

Remaining schedule for December is tough.
Miami, at Milwaukee, at Indiana, at Washington, Philadelphia, New York, at Phoenix.

[M2]

Yeah this whole thing has firmly put Giannis on my list of unlikeable players.

I'm still a fan, but he's having a weird moment. Playing lights out. Yet he's agitated.


Orlando tumbling a bit, a weekend in Boston results in 0-2, both losses by 17.

In a road heavy month (8/6 A/H) we've taken Ls at Brooklyn, at Cleveland, and at Boston x2.

Remaining schedule for December is tough.
Miami, at Milwaukee, at Indiana, at Washington, Philadelphia, New York, at Phoenix.

That schedule is definitely going to test them. The Magic definitely are a team you'd expect to feel some wear. This is their first time in contention mode. Though I'm thinking they're a prime candidate to make a deal (for a scoring guard). DeRo might be a nice fit.

Wouldn't get too harsh on them for the Celtics losses. Boston's got a beast of a team.

[dubc47834]

I'm still a fan, but he's having a weird moment. Playing lights out. Yet he's agitated.



That schedule is definitely going to test them. The Magic definitely are a team you'd expect to feel some wear. This is their first time in contention mode. Though I'm thinking they're a prime candidate to make a deal (for a scoring guard). DeRo might be a nice fit.

Wouldn't get too harsh on them for the Celtics losses. Boston's got a beast of a team.

Same, I'm still a fan, but this year has been a different Giannis. I'm wondering if it's a coaching issue, I've heard rumblings that it may be.

[SteelSD]

Yeah this whole thing has firmly put Giannis on my list of unlikeable players.

He already had one foot in that arena with the ladder incident, but he's fully in after this one. Beyond running down the hallway...his demanding that Haliburton was going to get him the ball, and then trying to use Lillard as cover in the presser.? Just pure Milo stuff.

[Mutaman]

He already had one foot in that arena with the ladder incident, but he's fully in after this one. Beyond running down the hallway...his demanding that Haliburton was going to get him the ball, and then trying to use Lillard as cover in the presser.? Just pure Milo stuff.

Says the guy who ferociously rooted for a team with James Harden on it.
I think this might be Steel's 50th post about the momentous ladder affair.

[M2]

I still refuse to believe the Clippers are real, but they're blowing out the Pacers tonight on their way to 16-10.

[Mutaman]

Bill Simmons
@BillSimmons
23h
"Some fascinating (and important) Andre Jackson minutes for the Bucks tonight. Feels like he’s their wildcard guy for the next few months."


A few days ago Bill was saying that the Bucks were in total disarray. Guess it just depends on how they're playing when he happens to be watching.

[M2]

The Bulls are going nowhere, but is Coby White is having a moment. Over his last 14, he's scoring 23.5 a game with 5+ assists and rebounds.

[M2]

The Grizz officially went 6-19 without Ja. If they don't immediately turn things around they're staring at a lost season.

[SteelSD]

Ew. Sixers lost that one over about a 10 minute stretch across the end of the first/beginning of the second quarter. And although the bench made up ground early in the fourth, they were two times that bad in the second quarter. Yet, the Sixers still had a shot in the fourth. But while the Bulls hit everything they chucked at the hoop, Philly couldn't figure out how to make a layup or five. Just one of those games.

[SteelSD]

Says the guy who ferociously rooted for a team with James Harden on it.
I think this might be Steel's 50th post about the momentous ladder affair.

That makes no sense. Giannis insane behavior is neither a James Harden issue, nor is it a "me" issue. And frankly, it was clear to anyone paying attention that I lost all patience with Harden during and after the playoffs last year. Not a peep from me when he went full "Do Not Want" in the offseason, because I was beyond done with the guy after a whole 1+ season. So you go re-write history somewhere else. Thanks.

It would have made more sense for you to just post that you know what Giannis did was incredibly stupid, even if you won't go as far as admitting that it's a look of pure toxic entitlement, and that you hope he learns from it. That's something I would have respected.

[Mutaman]

That makes no sense. Giannis insane behavior is neither a James Harden issue, nor is it a "me" issue.

Free advice: you just got beat by the Mighty Mighty Bulls-in your own building! Worry about your own team.

[Betterread]

Ew. Sixers lost that one over about a 10 minute stretch across the end of the first/beginning of the second quarter. And although the bench made up ground early in the fourth, they were two times that bad in the second quarter. Yet, the Sixers still had a shot in the fourth. But while the Bulls hit everything they chucked at the hoop, Philly couldn't figure out how to make a layup or five. Just one of those games.

Based on reading the box score, Bulls shot 41% from 3 and 47% overall. That’s not exactly “hitting everything they chucked at the hoop”. You gotta shoot at least 50-55% percent from 3 like the Clips or the Nuggets did tonight to warrant that kind of description.

[Betterread]

Good game between the Twolves and Heat tonight. I thought both teams battled pretty evenly. Heat welcomed back the Kentuckians TylerBam and both were effective as the Heat led by as many as 17 in the first half and ended with 66 points. Heat announcers were saying - we’re destroying the NBA’s #1 defense, we’ll score 120.
Second half Twolves led the Heat to 42 points and took the lead in the early fourth Q and couldn’t stretch it out due to the Heat making tough shots, but held on for a 112-108 win at South Beach.
If the wolves ever figure out how to start the game with good first quarters, they will be unstoppable ( 7 TOs in the first Q today. That’s awful.)

[SteelSD]

Free advice: you just got beat by the Mighty Mighty Bulls-in your own building! Worry about your own team.

Good lord, you're a caricature. First, I didn't just get beat. The Sixers did. Second. It's not "my" team. It's some rich dude's team.

Grow the hell up.

[SteelSD]

Based on reading the box score, Bulls shot 41% from 3 and 47% overall. That’s not exactly “hitting everything they chucked at the hoop”. You gotta shoot at least 50-55% percent from 3 like the Clips or the Nuggets did tonight to warrant that kind of description.

In the last half of the fourth quarter, which is what I was talking about, that's exactly what happened. And you'll have to pardon me, but I won't be using your personal definitions of anything when I write my posts, thank you.

[Mutaman]

Good lord, you're a caricature. First, I didn't just get beat. The Sixers did. Second. It's not "my" team. It's some rich dude's team.

Grow the hell up.

A "caricature" ! Gee I guess I touched one of Steel's fragile little nerves. This is coming from a dude who thinks this game ball foolishness is "insane behavior ", "incredibly stupid", and "pure toxic entitlement".
Considering the way Giannis conducts himself off the court relative to a lot of athletes (see Anthony Edwards as today's example), I think you need to develop a bit of perspective. And maybe relax a little bit.

[Betterread]

In the last half of the fourth quarter, which is what I was talking about, that's exactly what happened. And you'll have to pardon me, but I won't be using your personal definitions of anything when I write my posts, thank you.

Bulls shot 9-21 in the fourth Q, 5-10 from the 6 minute mark to the end. Seems like your perceptions don’t match actual events.

[SteelSD]

A "caricature" ! Gee I guess I touched one of Steel's fragile little nerves. This is coming from a dude who thinks this game ball foolishness is "insane behavior ", "incredibly stupid", and "pure toxic entitlement".
Considering the way Giannis conducts himself off the court relative to a lot of athletes (see Anthony Edwards as today's example), I think you need to develop a bit of perspective. And maybe relax a little bit.

The whole world has seen the video, dude. An allegedly grown man throws a massive hissy fit over a basketball that his team already has in their possession. I have enough perspective to know that ain't any kind of normal. Probably the craziest "Karen" video I've ever seen.

And I'm perfectly relaxed. You're the one who picked a really dumb fight.

[SteelSD]

Bulls shot 9-21 in the fourth Q, 5-10 from the 6 minute mark to the end. Seems like your perceptions don’t match actual events.

Oh my god. I'm talking about the threes chucked up by by Williams and Vucevic, both of whom hit more than a games worth over the final 6:12 to take back and extend the lead for the Bulls. Do I really need to outline specific shots by specific players at specific times for games you didn't watch in order to true up with your nit picking?

I guess, going forward, I'll just have to post graphics of the play-by-play and circle things for you.

[M2]

Looking at the standings and thinking about tiers...

EAST

Tier 1 - Leading Contenders

Boston, Milwaukee, Philly

No surprises here. It's the three teams everyone expected and that have been at the top of the East in recent years. Biggest thing here is finishing 1st so the other two have to fight each other in Round 2 of the playoffs.

Tier 2 - Looking Good

Orlando, New York

This is a tenuous group. Either one could drop to Tier 3 with a clunky week. Yet both have reasons to be happy. They're 9th and 10th in the league in Net Rtg. Don't look like they can hang with the big dogs, but these are two of the leading contenders to pull a big deadline trade.

Tier 3 - Playoffs/Play-in Scrum

Cleveland, Miami, Indiana, Brooklyn

If the season ended today, three of these teams would be in the play-in and one wouldn't be emerging. All of these teams want better. Cleveland has to figure out whether this team can make a run or whether it should flip Spida. Everyone fears Miami come the playoffs, with good reason, but one of these years their "on" switch isn't going to work when they try to flick it. Indiana needs to be more consistent. Brooklyn feels like a team that's waiting for the right superstar to hit the market.

Tier 4 - Disappointments

Atlanta, Toronto, Chicago

One of them will make the play-in. All of them should be in fire sale mode.

Tier 5 - B-A-D, Bad

Charlotte, Washington, Detroit

Detroit really is playing like it's never going to win again. Washington has a potential major haul coming its way for Kuzma. How long until LaMelo decides he's done with Charlotte?

WEST

Tier 1 - Leading Contenders

Minnesota, OKC, Denver

It's a brave, new world. I'm going to doubt OKC at least a little bit all year until they wrap a bow around a 50+ win season. They have some rough edges. Minnesota is playing spectacular basketball. Yet Denver's still the team to beat.

Tier 2 - Looking Good

Sacramento, Dallas, Clippers, New Orleans

Again, this is a tenuous group. We've seen the Pelicans fall apart. The Clippers could take a group field trip to the hospital at any moment. Dallas is one guy. The Kings are the only one I'm thinking has a truly stable foundation.

Tier 3 - Playoffs/Play-in Scrum

Lakers, Houston, Phoenix

That's three teams that probably didn't expect to be here. The Lakers have shown they have a go button, so it wouldn't be shocking to see them climb the standings. Houston's doing it with defense (2nd in Def Rtg). Phoenix is a mess. It's got some stars, but lacks a team around them.

Tier 4 - Disappointments

Golden State, Memphis

It is a kindness that I'm listing the Grizz this high. They've been a bottom-of-the-barrel squad, but Ja's coming back and they might not be an automatic W for quality opponents moving forward. The Warriors really look like they need a trade. Should they blow it all up and move Steph? He's the guy they could get the most for.

Tier 5 - B-A-D, Bad

Utah, Portland, San Antonio

The Jazz aren't as bad as the other two, but wait until they trade Markkanen. Then they'll really suck. Portland's going to have Grant, Brogdon and Simons in the shop window. The Spurs are roughly seven competent players away from being a mediocre team.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I went to Cavs Rockets last night, ended up being a fun OT win for the Cavs.

Rockets are decently solid and a night and day difference from the last couple years. Never seen Sengun live before and I’m a big fan. Nice post moves and a good finisher. Allen really struggled with him, although I’m pretty sure Mobley would have guarded him if healthy.

My guy Sam Merrill did his best Steph Curry impression and hit a huge dagger 3 in OT.

[M2]

I went to Cavs Rockets last night, ended up being a fun OT win for the Cavs.

Rockets are decently solid and a night and day difference from the last couple years. Never seen Sengun live before and I’m a big fan. Nice post moves and a good finisher. Allen really struggled with him, although I’m pretty sure Mobley would have guarded him if healthy.

My guy Sam Merrill did his best Steph Curry impression and hit a huge dagger 3 in OT.

Seems like Sengun's going to be the ace for the Rockets moving forward. I am interested to see how Amen Thompson fits into their mix once he's healthy.

Cavs question for you, there's a lot of Mitchell speculation right now, would you deal him or keep him? Seems like Cleveland could give him the max extension, keep him for three more seasons, then move him when he's 30.

[Revering4Blue]

Seems like Sengun's going to be the ace for the Rockets moving forward. I am interested to see how Amen Thompson fits into their mix once he's healthy.

Agreed.


Cavs question for you, there's a lot of Mitchell speculation right now, would you deal him or keep him? Seems like Cleveland could give him the max extension, keep him for three more seasons, then move him when he's 30.

Regarding Mitchell, unless I could receive approximately the same amount I value I gave up for him, I would do the latter for the simple reason they gave up quite a bit to get him in the first place. IMHO, the Cavs need to at least reach the conference finals with Mitchell to justify the trade. That's the type of trade you execute for the final piece to at least reach the ECF or higher, not to merely reach the playoffs winning one series at the most.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Seems like Sengun's going to be the ace for the Rockets moving forward. I am interested to see how Amen Thompson fits into their mix once he's healthy.

Cavs question for you, there's a lot of Mitchell speculation right now, would you deal him or keep him? Seems like Cleveland could give him the max extension, keep him for three more seasons, then move him when he's 30.

I would keep him assuming he will sign the extension. If he just wants to ultimately play in NYC for the sake of playing in NYC, then what are you gonna do, but he can’t leave for a better basketball situation.

I guess if some team wanted to throw a stupid offer you gotta listen, but again why would someone do that?

If the Cavs keep mitchell and want to make a trade, it should be Garland. He would have a lot of value due to his age and you could move him for a piece that fits better with Mitchell and makes the Cavs better right now.

[SteelSD]

I would keep him assuming he will sign the extension. If he just wants to ultimately play in NYC for the sake of playing in NYC, then what are you gonna do, but he can’t leave for a better basketball situation.

I guess if some team wanted to throw a stupid offer you gotta listen, but again why would someone do that?

If the Cavs keep mitchell and want to make a trade, it should be Garland. He would have a lot of value due to his age and you could move him for a piece that fits better with Mitchell and makes the Cavs better right now.

They could throw Garland at the Raptors for Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr and see if there's something that could stick.

[BuckeyeRed27]

They could throw Garland at the Raptors for Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr and see if there's something that could stick.

I’ve wondered if the Pels would do Ingram. Makes a lot of sense for both teams.

[M2]

I was just thinking that, ironically, the perfect fit for the Cavs would be Lauri Markkanen. They need a bigger guy who can shoot and create danger from the wing.

Moving Garland for a bigger guard with some defensive chops might be the right call, but I'd look to rationalize that front line first. Strus is a nice add. A skeleton key power forward type (shoot, defend on the perimeter, hit the boards) would open up a lot of space for that team. Lanes to the basket for the guards, room for Mobley to operate inside, outlets who can hit the dagger shot. Tari Eason would be a great fit and he's probably never starting for the Rockets, though they surely value what he's doing off the bench. IOW, I'm thinking Allen might be the guy they move or de-emphasize first. Good player, but one dimensional.

[M2]

Jaylen Brown just spent six minutes tormenting Steph Curry. Went at him on the break, took him off the dribble, posted him up. It was pure "I'm bigger and I'm faster" stuff.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I was just thinking that, ironically, the perfect fit for the Cavs would be Lauri Markkanen. They need a bigger guy who can shoot and create danger from the wing.

Moving Garland for a bigger guard with some defensive chops might be the right call, but I'd look to rationalize that front line first. Strus is a nice add. A skeleton key power forward type (shoot, defend on the perimeter, hit the boards) would open up a lot of space for that team. Lanes to the basket for the guards, room for Mobley to operate inside, outlets who can hit the dagger shot. Tari Eason would be a great fit and he's probably never starting for the Rockets, though they surely value what he's doing off the bench. IOW, I'm thinking Allen might be the guy they move or de-emphasize first. Good player, but one dimensional.

The problem when he was here with Allen and Mobley was the defense. None of those guys are great at guarding the 3 spot and while they had a lot of length, they got exploited a lot.

[M2]

Jaylen Brown just spent six minutes tormenting Steph Curry. Went at him on the break, took him off the dribble, posted him up. It was pure "I'm bigger and I'm faster" stuff.

Lol, then Boston forgot to keep going downhill, particularly Jayson Tatum. So the Warriors clawed back and won it in overtime.

[Big Red Smokey]

Twolves-76ers Part 2 tonight.

Assuming Embiid won't sit out both games against Minny this year because like most big men he has an infatuation with Towns. Either way thanks to the Boston loss Minny now has best record in NBA

[Betterread]

Lol, then Boston forgot to keep going downhill, particularly Jayson Tatum. So the Warriors clawed back and won it in overtime.

Two things I noticed. Boston really forced isos on Steph to get him to foul out. They did this vrs the Twolves when Ant had five fouls. Both games ended in OT losses. That’s a pattern.
The Celts shot 17-58 from 3 pt range. Al horford was 2-10 and Hauser was 0-6. I know Celts believe in shooting a lot of threes but don’t you modify the belief when the results are this putrid?

[SteelSD]

Lol, then Boston forgot to keep going downhill, particularly Jayson Tatum. So the Warriors clawed back and won it in overtime.

I watched the last half of the fourth and OT after reading your post and thinking, "Well, this must be bad."

Almost on cue, Curry went nuts.

[Big Red Smokey]

Watching Embiid is an absolute joke. Just BS ref flopping antics that he gets rewarded for.

Take his MVP away. Softest big man in NBA history and I watched Darko Milicic for years.

[SteelSD]

Watching Embiid is an absolute joke. Just BS ref flopping antics that he gets rewarded for.

Take his MVP away. Softest big man in NBA history and I watched Darko Milicic for years.

Clearly you haven't watched Towns then. Soft like whipped Jello, that guy is. Embiid destroys him.

[Big Red Smokey]

Yawn. Ignore time. Troll post is obvious

[SteelSD]

Yawn. Ignore time. Troll post is obvious

Yeah, it was clearly obvious when you did it.

[M2]

Take his MVP away. Softest big man in NBA history and I watched Darko Milicic for years.

Joe Barry Carroll would like a word.

Yet I also feel like maybe there's a slight difference between Darko and Embiid.

[SteelSD]

Joe Barry Carroll would like a word.

Yet I also feel like maybe there's a slight difference between Darko and Embiid.

Bought a high end Topps pack after LeBron was drafted. Saw a super shiny refractor when I opened it. Was dreaming of a sequentially numbered LeBron rookie card. Nope. Freakin' Darko.

[M2]

Two rivalry games tonight. Orlando is hosting the Heat in a game that could be a major boost for the Magic if they win it, but they're down 18 at the half. And the Nets are hosting the Knicks, which should be hot contest.

Indiana gets a slump buster tonight with a home game against the Hornets.

[SteelSD]

Helluva game between the T-Wolves and Sixers right now at the end of three. Embiid dominant as usual (39 points/10 boards), but Melton is out with an injury. Going to be a tough 5 to 6 minutes for the Sixers with Embiid on the bench and Maxey with four fouls as Minnesota has a lot of offense to contend with. Tobias, wherefore art thou?

[M2]

51-12 for Embiid tonight on 17-25 shooting while playing 1v3 against Minnesota's bigs. I will submit that's zero percent soft.

[Betterread]

Twolves outplayed in the fourth quarter by Philly and lose. Defense wasn’t good enough - 37 points given up. Even though Embiid got fifty, key buckets were provided by Maxey, who played really effective P n R with Embiid.
I’m not worried about this loss, though. Wolves played well but it was just a total foul fest. Have to learn to play that way.
No kidding, I heard the Philly announcer say - “foul on someone, I'm not sure who" .As long as the Sixers get free points, who cares if there’s a reason for them.

[Betterread]

51-12 for Embiid tonight on 17-25 shooting while playing 1v3 against Minnesota's bigs. I will submit that's zero percent soft.

Nope. 4 v 3 ( he couldn’t have scored 50 without three other people’s help - 18 FTs and the ability to commit 10 fouls without fouling out).

[SteelSD]

Well, that was fun. Embiid dropped 51 points while grabbing 12 boards, and Maxey's 35 points were huge as Philly took the fourth quarter 37 to 26, at one point taking an 18-point lead, and pulling away to a 127-113 win. Minnesota's tough and presents a lot of matchup problems for opponents, but can probably use a little more oomph on their bench. Jaden McDaniels was impressive in the first half, with (I think) 19 of his 21 being put up over the first two frames. Gobert was a complete non-factor, as was Tobias Harris on the other side. Light night for three point shooting for both teams, with only 25 attempts from the T-Wolves and 22 for the Sixers.

Other lessons from tonight...

1) They need to either train officials better, or give two free challenges per game to each squad to review out-of-bounds basketballs. There was no reason that the two teams should have needed to waste a combined three challenges on that crap.
2) When talking about Joel Embiid, don't type Darko Milicic's name. Embiid clearly does not like it and will take it out on the team you're rooting for. Of course, he might to it regardless. He is the MVP.
3) Marcus Morris is apparently not toast. Led the team tonight with a +23 in 25 minutes off the bench and has been on fire from deep. I apologize.
4) Don't say dumb things about the opponent's best player while attempting to trash them right before said player throws a dominant freakin' 50-spot in a win. It's just not a good idea even if the Sixers lose, but if they win, it's worse.

[Betterread]

Well, that was fun. Embiid dropped 51 points while grabbing 12 boards, and Maxey's 35 points were huge as Philly took the fourth quarter 37 to 26, at one point taking an 18-point lead, and pulling away to a 127-113 win. Minnesota's tough and presents a lot of matchup problems for opponents, but can probably use a little more oomph on their bench. Jaden McDaniels was impressive in the first half, with (I think) 19 of his 21 being put up over the first two frames. Gobert was a complete non-factor, as was Tobias Harris on the other side. Light night for three point shooting for both teams, with only 25 attempts from the T-Wolves and 22 for the Sixers.

Other lessons from tonight...

1) They need to either train officials better, or give two free challenges per game to each squad to review out-of-bounds basketballs. There was no reason that the two teams should have needed to waste a combined three challenges on that crap.
2) When talking about Joel Embiid, don't type Darko Milicic's name. Embiid clearly does not like it and will take it out on the team you're rooting for. Of course, he might to it regardless. He is the MVP.
3) Marcus Morris is apparently not toast. Led the team tonight with a +23 in 25 minutes off the bench and has been on fire from deep. I apologize.
4) Don't say dumb things about the opponent's best player while attempting to trash them right before said player throws a dominant freakin' 50-spot in a win. It's just not a good idea even if the Sixers lose, but if they win, it's worse.

Three most unstoppable plays Twolves have faced this year: Embiid/Maxey pick and roll, high pick for Deearon Fox and Luka iso.

[SteelSD]

Three most unstoppable plays Twolves have faced this year: Embiid/Maxey pick and roll, high pick for Deearon Fox and Luka iso.

Maxey is so fast that the opponent's bigs are almost forced to play drop coverage, which opens up the free throw line for Embiid. He's so good at hitting mid-range shots from there, that it's just punishing even though he almost never rolls to the hoop. You'll notice that Embiid gets a lot of touch fouls on ball fakes from that spot. Not rip-throughs, actual shooting fouls that don't always appear to be fouls at first glance, but are.